The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The court delivered the historic ruling in a case that had been lodged by South Africa on Friday afternoon.
Pretoria had asked for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, arguing that Israel was violating the UN Convention on Genocide with its continuous bombardment of the Palestinian territory.
Handing down the ruling, ICJ President, Judge Joan Donoghue, said the court found a prima facie case of genocide against Israel and the ICJ has jurisdiction to hear the case.
Among its six provisional measures, it ordered Israel to immediately allow for emergency relief for civilians in the Gaza Strip and for Hamas to release all hostages.
The ICJ expressed concern over the loss of life and human suffering in the Palestinian territory.
“The ICJ notes that while the number of Palestinian deaths can’t be independently verified Israel’s military operation has led to a large number of deaths (approximately 25 000), injuries, damage to homes and institutions. The ICJ has found that provisional measures can be made due to the urgency of the crisis in Gaza.”
Israel must report to the court within a month on what it is doing to uphold the order. The decision is legally-binding, but the court has no way to enforce it.
While an Israeli judge on the 17-member panel voted for two of the measures in the court order, including the call for Israel to refrain from public incitement, a Ugandan judge was the lone member to not vote in favour of the humanitarian aid measures.
Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde voted against all the provisional measures South Africa sought against Israel.
She is the first African woman to sit on the ICJ pic.twitter.com/AMDo9FDSzr
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) January 26, 2024
Justice Sebutinde ruling at the International Court of Justice does not represent the Government of Uganda’s position on the situation in Palestine. She has previously voted against Uganda’s case on DRC. Uganda’s support for the plight of the Palestinian people has been expressed…
— Adonia Ayebare (@adoniaayebare) January 26, 2024
The ICJ, also known as the World Court, did not deal with South Africa’s main allegation on whether Israel is committing genocide, though it said it would not throw out the case, as Israel requested.
So far, more than 26 000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, are said to have been killed in the three-month old war, which began in October when militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, killing more than 1 200 Israelis and taking 240 others hostage.
Israel defiant
Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says his country will continue to defend itself against Hamas.
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unshakable. Equally unshakable is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and protect our people. Like any country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself. The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it is rightly rejected,” said Netanyahu after the ruling.
He has also reiterated Israel’s long-held stance that their war is against “the terrorists of Hamas, not against Palestinian civilians”.
“We will continue to facilitate humanitarian aid, and do our utmost to keep civilians away from harm, even when Hamas uses civilians as human shields. We will continue to do what is necessary to protect our country and protect our people.”
BREAKING: BENJAMIN NETANYAHU OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON ICJ RULING
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unshakable. Equally unshakable is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and protect our people.
Like any country, Israel has an inherent right to defend… pic.twitter.com/yRsMyGFALj
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) January 26, 2024
‘Victory for international law’
President Cyril Ramphosa has described the ICJ’s interim order as a victory for international law and justice for the people of Gaza.
President Ramaphosa says Pretoria expects Israel to abide by it.
“Some have said we should mind our own business and not get involved in the affairs of other countries. Others have said its not our place, and yet it very much our place as a people who know too well the pain of dispossession, discrimination, state sponsored violence. We also a people who were the victims of the crime of apartheid.
“We know what apartheid looks like, we lived through it,” said Ramaphosa.
Outside court in The Hague, International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor, said she would have wanted to hear the ICJ order a “ceasefire”, but believes the provisions the court listed can only lead to one.
“I would have wanted a ceasefire, but there is no way I am going to say I am disappointed. I hoped for it but the fact of delivering humanitarian aid, the fact of taking measures that would reduce harm against persons who have no roles in what Israel is combatting, for me requires a ceasefire.”
We call on the international community to give effect to the rulings made by the ICJ. Global solidarity at this time is critical to uphold international law #CeasefireNOW #InternationalCourtOfJustice pic.twitter.com/CDUzO5Efnc
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) January 26, 2024
World views
The South African Jewish Board of Directors (SAJBD) has welcomed what it terms the ICJ’s recognition of Israel’s right to defend its citizens by denying the ANC government’s request for a ceasefire.
The national chairperson of the organisation, Prof Karen Milner, says the government’s failure to callout Hamas and playing constructive role in engaging both sides is saddening.
“We continue to mourn the tragic loss of life on both sides and support the continued facilitation of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocents caught up in Hamas’s war.”
Africa4Palestine leader, Muhammed Desai, says the ruling will give hope to the Palestinians.
Speaking to YNews, Desai described the court’s ruling as a defeat for “apartheid” Israel, adding that his organisation hopes mechanisms will now be put in place to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
The governing ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also welcomed the ruling, with the EFF saying the interim measures give hope that one day the bombardment and occupation of Gaza will come to an end.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) January 26, 2024
The EFF’s Statement on South Africa’s Successful ICJ Application for Emergency Measures in Gaza in Genocide Case Against Israel
-Consequently, the ICJ has ordered Israel to take all actions within its power to avoid the commission of the acts that fall within the provisions of… pic.twitter.com/AGYXejO5mZ
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 26, 2024
The European Union (EU) says it expects full, immediate and effective implementation of the court’s measures.
“Orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them,” the European Commission said in a statement.
Amnesty International says the interim ruling “sends a clear message that the world will not stand by in silence as Israel pursues a ruthless military campaign to decimate the population of the Gaza Strip and unleash death, horror and suffering against Palestinians on an unprecedented scale.”
Israel must comply with key ICJ ruling ordering it do all in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. https://t.co/dn44oVL8Y1
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) January 26, 2024
Iran, the First Minister of Scotland, the former leader of the Labour Party in the UK and South Africa’s former Public Protector are among those who also weighed in on the matter.
“Today, the officials of the fake Israeli regime are the most hated people in the world’s public opinion, who must be brought to justice immediately for committing genocide and unprecedented war crimes against Palestinians,” Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The #ICJ order is clear.
The killing and destruction in Gaza must stop.
Urgent humanitarian assistance must be provided to prevent more suffering.
Hostages must be released immediately.
With such death and destruction, we will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) January 26, 2024
Today’s verdict from the ICJ is a vital step toward justice for the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/BO3XL7lRym
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 26, 2024
In simple language, the ICJ has said there is a prima facie violation of the Genocide Convention specifically articles II (a) – (d) and that until a final determination is made regarding Gaza, Israel must stop:
a) Killing Palestinian civilians;
b) Causing serious bodily harm to…— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) January 26, 2024
Today’s ruling is a huge defeat for #Israel. ICJ rules that Israel is credibly accused of potentially Genocidal acts against #Palestinians, Israel must now act to ensure that Palestinians are no longer at risk of harm+Genocidal acts. Nations facilitating Israel’s War must stop… pic.twitter.com/AHtkJFpDC4
— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) January 26, 2024
On The Eve of the Holocaust Memorial Day, I want to mention the following 👇
👉#Israel 🇮🇱 won 🏆 the #ICJ ruling.
👉This day in particular is remembered for what happened to the #Jews ✡️ by the hands of the #Nazi, & the #Oct7Massacre was the highest single day deaths committed… pic.twitter.com/PFTs6iPpSU
— Hayder Alasadi 海得 (@1AlasadiHayder) January 26, 2024
موفقیت آفریقایجنوبی در دیوان بینالمللی دادگستری در جریان طرح شکایت از رژیم صهیونیستی را به دولت و ملت آفریقایجنوبی، ملت فلسطین و خانم نالدی پاندور وزیر امور خارجه این کشور تبریک میگویم.
بار دیگر بر حمایت جمهوری اسلامی ایران از ابتکار عمل دولت آفریقای جنوبی تصریح میکنم.…
— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) January 26, 2024
If I may share an anecdote about how some of the world sees us because of the ICJ action. pic.twitter.com/btalikXAbf
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) January 26, 2024
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” – President Nelson Mandela 🫡 🇿🇦x🇵🇸#InternationalCourtofJustice pic.twitter.com/ljB1CH6vhi
— MASTER- T 🎓🎓🎓🤌🏿 (@thabo_shingange) January 26, 2024
Thank you South Africa for advocating for global equality l human rights & justice for all! ❤️#InternationalCourtofJustice#FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/qZKjK87IFI
— Sam B (Sammy) #BlackLivesMatter (@BeynonSammy) January 26, 2024
A team of lawyers that remember the genocide they faced under Apartheid rule grew up to save other countries from that same fate 👏🏿👏🏿.#InternationalCourtofJustice pic.twitter.com/qzJk4lT5E4
— n. (@enteekaay) January 26, 2024
The UN Security Council will now be formally notified of the Court’s order…
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦#ICJGenocideConvention #GazaHolocaust #Cease_fire_In_Gaza_Now #ceasefire #SouthAfrica #AlJazeera #Palestine #InternationalCourtofJustice pic.twitter.com/3qUUSGlqr4
— TRM🇿🇦 (@Thobeka_Rare) January 26, 2024
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