The International Court of Justice in The Hague has ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent the “genocide” of Palestinians. In the Court’s ruling on the provisional emergency measures to be imposed on Israel, Justice Joan Donoghue said that the Jewish State must take “all measures in its power to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide.” The Court also ruled that Israel must take «immediate measures to provide humanitarian aid and basic necessities to the Gaza Strip». Furthermore, the Court – whose sentences are binding on Israel – asked to limit deaths and damage to civilians, but did not go so far as to impose the suspension of the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, the main request of South Africa which brought the case against Israel for “genocide”.
EU, we expect immediate implementation of the Hague ordinance
«We note today’s order from the International Court of Justice on South Africa’s request for provisional measures. The EU reiterates its continued support for the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial body of the United Nations. The orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The European Union expects their full, immediate and effective implementation.” This is what we read in a statement from the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, regarding the order of the Court in The Hague on Gaza. “Each party’s right to submit arguments regarding jurisdiction, admissibility or merit remains unaffected by today’s decision on South Africa’s request for provisional measures,” it further reads.
South Africa, implicit truce request from the Hague Court
Israel will have to stop the fighting in Gaza if it is to comply with the orders of the United Nations International Court of Justice. This was stated by Naledi Pandor, Foreign Minister of South Africa, speaking to the press from the headquarters of the Court in The Hague.
“How do you provide aid and water without a ceasefire?” asked Pandor. “If you read the order, implicitly there must be a ceasefire,” commented the minister as reported by Al Jazeera.
US reiterates unfounded accusations of genocide against Israel
The United States reiterated its position that accusations against Israel of genocide in Gaza are “unfounded”, following measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. “We continue to believe that the genocide allegations are unfounded and note that the Court did not find genocide or call for a ceasefire in its ruling,” a US State Department spokesperson said after the court ordered Israel to do everything to “prevent the commission of all acts falling within the scope” of the Genocide Convention.