Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will continue to fight Hamas and will “continue” to adhere to international law. In an initial response to the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), he rejects accusations of genocide.
The ICJ requires Israel to do what it can to prevent casualties in Gaza. The country must also do what it can to prevent genocide, the judges ruled. The court made an interim ruling in a case brought by South Africa. There was no order to stop the fight against Hamas.
The Israeli government has been instructed on several points to take measures to better protect Gazans. For example, the country must prevent and punish calls for genocide against the residents of Gaza. “Immediate and drastic measures” must also be taken to improve living conditions in Gaza and evidence of possible wrongdoing must be collected.
All parties in the Gaza Strip must comply with international law, the court emphasized. The hostages must be released “immediately and unconditionally”, said chairman Joan Donoghue.
Yet the ICJ has not ordered an end to the war against Hamas. The country will not do that, according to an initial response from the Prime Minister.
‘Discrimination against Jewish state’
“Like any country, Israel has the inalienable right to defend itself. The despicable attempt to deny Israel this right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state and has been rightly rejected,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization.”
Despite the ICJ’s criticism, Israel says it has always done its best to protect and help the residents of Gaza. “We will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance and do our utmost to spare civilians suffering, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields.” It is currently unclear whether the current policy will be adjusted.
Palestine response
“Palestine welcomes the ruling of the International Court of Justice,” said Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. He believes that the court has clearly spoken out in favor of the protection of “international law and humanity”. According to the minister, the Palestinian Authority calls on all parties involved to take the measures ordered by the court in the provisional ruling.
According to the authority, the Palestinians see it as a victory, because Israel had labeled the complaint as scandalous and unfounded. According to Israel, the court should not concern itself with this, but the ICJ now expressly does so. That could take years.
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The complex genocide case between South Africa and Israel explained: this is what is at stake
