This court found that there was plausible evidence that Israel was committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. It orders the Jewish state to “prevent and punish any incitement to genocide”.
Sued for “genocide” by South Africa, the Hebrew State suffered harsh criticism from of the United Nations Court of Justice, who delivered his verdict this Friday.
The 17 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recognized by majority that “there is a real and imminent risk that irreparable harm will be caused» to the population of the Gaza Strip, before ordering a series of emergency measures binding on the Jewish state.
Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice, declared:
“The State of Israel must take all measures in its power to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide against members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip. By 16 votes to one, the State of Israel must take immediate and effective measures to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance urgently needed by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in order to remedy the difficult living conditions they face.
However, the judges of the international institution abstained and did not call for an immediate end to the Israeli offensive. While this flagship measure was eagerly awaited.
The Prime Minister Israeli Benjamin Netanyahu, welcomed the fact that the judges had rejected this “scandalous demand“, according to him.
He immediately proclaimed that Israel will continue its war against Hamas
For South Africa, the court’s measures are a sign of acall for “ceasefire” as Zane Dangor, lawyer and director of the South African Department of International Relations:
“Europe will have to examine its own values, because most European countries say they respect human rights and the right to life. We hope that this order will also allow European countries to join the matter if the interim orders are respected, and some have indicated that they might do so. The reason we did this is to save lives“.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused South Africaof anti-Semitism following the complaint filed for genocide against the Hebrew State.
But South Africa believes that today it is a matter of a victory for the protection of the lives of innocent civilians and for the future of international law.
