Jan. 26, 2024
The International Court of Justice ordered Israel on Friday to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in its ongoing war in Gaza.
“The state of Israel shall ... take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of the genocide convention,” the ICJ said.
An overwhelming majority of the ICJ’s 17-judge panel voted to order urgent measures, which covered most of South Africa’s request, aside from ordering a halt to the Israeli war on Gaza.
The court ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the genocide convention and also ensure that the Israeli army do not commit any genocidal acts in Gaza.
‘Decisive Victory’
In a press conference following the verdict, the South African government thanked the ICJ for the swift ruling.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, hailed the ruling as a “decisive victory” for the international rule of law.
She added that South Africa will continue to act within global institutions to protect the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Pandor further said that, even if the court did not directly mention the term ceasefire, full implementation of the court’s demands will naturally lead to a ceasefire, and a halt to the war.
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