On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an interim verdict ordering Israel to take all steps within its jurisdiction to prevent genocide.
It went on to say, “Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and also ensure the preservation of evidence of alleged genocide.” South Africa filed the complaint against Israel, accusing it of genocide in the Gaza Strip during its conflict with the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas. The ICJ also ordered Israel to report within one month on the activities it is doing to prevent genocide in Gaza. The court also decided that Israel must let humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The International Court of Justice did not order Israel to cease its military operation, implying endorsement of Israel’s right to self-defense in the aftermath of the Hamas assault on October 7, last year. However, the UN’s top judicial agency has acknowledged that the situation in Gaza is disastrous. The Court’s 17 judges agreed by a wide margin that Israel should do all in its ability to refrain from killing Palestinians, causing serious physical or mental injury, creating unbearable living circumstances in Gaza, or intentionally preventing Palestinian births.
Israel’s stand on the allegations
Israel strongly denies genocide, claiming that Hamas is to blame for placing Palestinian lives in danger. It claims Hamas operates within and beneath Gaza’s heavily populated neighborhoods and refugee camps, making it nearly difficult for Israel to avoid murdering people. It also claims to have gone to considerable pains to alert civilians about potential risk.
It is believed that Israel has “the most moral army in the world” is actually widespread among its Jewish residents. However, Israel’s activities since early October have resulted in the displacement of almost 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Soon after the court’s American president, Joan Donoghue, began speaking, it was evident that the court’s priority was Gaza’s predicament, and Israel had failed in its quest to have the entire case dismissed.
Statement delivered by South Africa, Palestine and Israel
“For the implementation of the international rule of law, the [ICJ’s] decision is a momentous one,” South Africa said in a statement. It hailed Friday’s decision as a “significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people”. The Palestinian foreign minister stated that the verdict demonstrated that “no state is above the law” and that it “should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not explicitly address the verdict, but stated, “Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering.” Equally unshakeable is our fundamental pledge to protect our nation.” He claimed South Africa’s accusation that Israel had committed genocide is “not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it”.
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