THE HAGUE, 26 January 2024: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has in an interim ruling ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza and take five other provisional steps. President of the Court, HE Judge Joan E. Donoghue read the operative paragraph of the Order, in English.
According to Al Jazeera:
- In a historic ruling, the ICJ said it had jurisdiction to rule in the case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
- The interim ruling issued by the court ordered six provisional measures, including for Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide, and take immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
- The ICJ also ordered Israel to preserve evidence of genocide and to submit a report to the court within a month regarding its compliance with the order.
READ HERE: the full text of the #ICJ Order indicating provisional measures in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (#SouthAfrica v. #Israel) https://t.co/hK7qZECsaO pic.twitter.com/1eOkfb4lhx
— CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) January 26, 2024
Earlier, South Africa had moved the court an ‘Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)’. The court had heard both the sides in the case. Israel rejected South Africa’s charges of genocide in Gaza.
The Agent of South Africa, HE Mr Vusimuzi Madonsela and HE Ms Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa were present in the court. The Co-Agent of Israel, Mr Gilad Noam was also present along with other members of his country’s delegation.
The Washington Post reports: South Africa’s foreign ministry welcomed the “landmark ruling,” saying the court had “determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal” and ordered provisional measures that were “directly binding.” However, the ICJ ruling did not order Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza, something South Africa had requested.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “an inherent right to defend itself” and said the court had “justly rejected” South Africa’s “vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right.” He also denied the genocide charges against Israel, and said he would “continue to do what is necessary to defend our country.”
