In a groundbreaking ruling on Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered a verdict affirming the plausibility of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The court sternly ordered Israel to fulfill its obligations under Article II of the Genocide Convention by taking all necessary actions within its power.
The ICJ’s decision also included a series of additional mandates for the Israeli government. It demanded that Israel ensure its military refrains from violating the convention in Gaza, hold accountable those who incite genocide, promptly provide essential services and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, prevent the destruction of any evidence that could reveal breaches of international law, and submit a comprehensive report to the ICJ detailing the steps taken to implement these measures.
However, the court did not grant South Africa’s request for an immediate cease-fire.
While a final determination on whether Israel is guilty of genocide in Gaza may take years, the ICJ’s ruling is widely regarded as a significant blow to the Israeli government and its primary arms supplier, the United States. The US dismissed South Africa’s case as “meritless.”
During the announcement of the court’s interim decision, ICJ President Joan Donoghue referenced testimonies from United Nations officials and other sources, shedding light on the dire conditions endured by the population in the Gaza Strip. The majority of Gazans are displaced, suffering from starvation, and struggling to survive amidst Israel’s relentless aerial and ground attacks.
Donoghue emphasized that the court recognized the genuine threat of “irreparable harm” faced by the people of Gaza and concluded that emergency measures were imperative to safeguard the Palestinian population from the risk of genocide.
