The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has given its preliminary ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel relating to the war in Gaza.
The United Nations' top court in The Hague on Friday did not order a ceasefire in Gaza but called on Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement to genocide in the besieged enclave.
International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue noted that the court had found enough evidence to argue the genocide case and said it would not dismiss the case.
Israel was also ordered to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and was asked to report to the court within a month on how it is complying with the court's orders.
Here are some global reactions:
Palestine
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the ruling, saying it was an “important reminder” that no state is above the law.
Foreign Minister Riad Maliki noted that Israel had failed to convince the court that it was not violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.
“The judges of the International Court of Justice have seen through Israel’s politicization, distraction and outright lies. “They assessed the facts and the law and ordered interim measures that recognized the seriousness of the situation on the ground and the merits of South Africa’s request,” he said.
“Palestine calls on all states to ensure compliance with the order of the International Court of Justice, including by Israel.”
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the verdict “outrageous.”
In a video message shortly after the court ruling, he said Israel was waging a “just war like no other,” adding that Israel would continue to defend itself and its citizens while respecting international law.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mocked the International Court of Justice, writing on X: “Hague Shmague.”
South Africa
The South African government called the ruling a “decisive victory” for international law and said it hoped Israel would not act to thwart implementation of the court's orders.
The verdict is a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people, the government said, adding that South Africa will continue to act within global institutions to protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.
Outside the International Court of Justice headquarters in The Hague, Naledi Pandor, South Africa's international relations minister, told reporters that Israel must stop fighting in Gaza if it wants to comply with the court's orders.
“How do you provide aid and water without a ceasefire?” asked Pandor. “If you read the order, there must be an implicit ceasefire.”
Hamas
Hamas welcomed the court's “important” ruling, saying it “contributes to the isolation of Israel.”
“The [International] “The Court’s decision is an important development that helps isolate Israel and expose its crimes in Gaza,” it said in a statement.
United States
The United States said the International Court of Justice's ruling was consistent with Washington's view that Israel has the right to take measures in accordance with international law to ensure that the Oct. 7 attack cannot be repeated.
“We remain convinced that the allegations of genocide are unfounded and note that the court did not make a genocide finding or call for a ceasefire in its ruling and that it called for the unconditional, immediate release of all those held by Hamas demanded hostages,” he said. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Palestinians in Gaza
Palestinians in Gaza said they were devastated by the court's decision not to order Israel to stop the nearly four-month bombardment and ground invasion of the enclave.
Ahmed al-Naffar, 54, who closely followed the court's announcement in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, told Al Jazeera: “Although I don't trust the international community, I had a small glimmer of hope that the court would decide on this a ceasefire in Gaza,” later adding that “the court is a failure.”
Displaced Palestinian Mohammad al-Minawi, 45, expressed a similar view. “I am not optimistic… Unfortunately, no one can stop Israel,” he told Al Jazeera.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank
Ramallah City Council member Lubna Farhat told Al Jazeera she was somewhat disappointed by the decision but acknowledged it was a historic moment.
“We are very grateful and grateful to South Africa for filing this case, but what the Palestinians sought was an immediate ceasefire,” Farhat said, adding that it was disheartening that the court did not call for an end to Israeli military operations and humanitarian aid could have been allowed into the Gaza Strip.
She said the ruling would only “escalate” settler attacks in the occupied West Bank and increase the attackers' sense of impunity.
Qatar
Qatar welcomed the interim decision and said Israel must take all measures to stop committing acts under the Genocide Convention in its war against Gaza.
A statement said Qatar viewed the ruling as a humanitarian victory and a victory for the rule of law and international justice.
Egypt
The Foreign Ministry said Egypt looks forward to the ICJ “calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as the court has ruled in similar cases,” stressing the need to respect and implement the court's decisions.
Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the ruling and said he hoped it would stop attacks on civilians.
“We hope that Israel’s attacks on women, children and the elderly will come to an end,” Erdogan said, calling the verdict “valuable.”
Iran
According to reports in Iranian state media, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian demanded that Israeli authorities be “brought to justice” following the verdict.
Amir-Abdollahian also congratulated South Africa and the Palestinian people on their “success” at the International Court of Justice.
“Today, the officials of the false Israeli regime are the most hated people in world public opinion, who must be brought to justice immediately for committing genocide and unprecedented war crimes against Palestinians,” he wrote on X.
“I must emphasize that the White House’s comprehensive support for the crimes of the Zionists will also never be forgotten and will be taken into account and pursued by public opinion,” Amir-Abdollahian added.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia expressed its agreement with the emergency measures recommended by the International Court of Justice. A Foreign Ministry statement said the kingdom “affirms its categorical rejection of the practices of Israeli occupation and violations of the United Nations Genocide Convention.”
Malaysia
“Malaysia’s demand that Israel be held accountable for atrocities, crimes against humanity and genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has been vindicated following the landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice [ICJ] January 26, 2024,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Malaysia also said it looked forward to the upcoming proceedings in the case and reiterated its calls for Palestine to be admitted to the United Nations as a full member and recognized as a state based on pre-1967 borders.
Canada
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in the statement: “Our support for the International Court of Justice does not mean that we accept the premise of the case brought by South Africa.” It is up to the International Court of Justice to make a final decision on the case, which it did today hasn’t done yet.”
“Canada will continue to support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself in accordance with international law,” Joly said.
“Canada continues to support urgent international efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire. This can't be one-sided. “Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields and lay down its weapons,” she said.
Diana Buttu, a Palestinian-Canadian lawyer and former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization, criticized Canada's response, posting on social media: “Terrible statement from Canada on the International Court of Justice.” It also included racist Israeli talking points [re: ‘human shields’] with the added touch of calling for more humanitarian aid supplies. Disgusting.”
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the parties to implement the interim measures ordered by the court.
“We will continue to advocate for peace and an end to the war, the release of hostages, access to humanitarian assistance and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel so that both nations can coexist in peace and security,” Sanchez said in a statement Opinion post on X.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation stated: “Spain reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages, immediate and regular humanitarian access and the need to move towards the implementation of the two-state solution focus.” “
Ireland
Michael Martin, the Irish foreign minister, welcomed the court's orders, which he described as “final and binding”. He added that Ireland expects Israel to implement the court's orders “in good faith and with urgency.”
“Ending this conflict and the death and destruction in Gaza is a priority that must be pursued on all fronts – political, diplomatic, humanitarian and legal,” he added in a statement.
Scotland
Scottish Prime Minister Humza Yousaf said in a post on X that the ICJ's order was “clear.”
“The killing and destruction in Gaza must stop. To prevent further suffering, urgent humanitarian assistance must be provided. “Hostages must be released immediately,” he said.
“In the face of this death and destruction, we will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire.”
Great Britain
The British Labor Party's foreign policy spokesman called on Israel to fully comply with the court's order.
“The interim judgment of the International Court of Justice does not make a judgment on this case, but sets out urgent interim measures that must be followed. “Israel must now fully comply with the orders of this ruling,” British Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a post on X.
“The ICJ’s actions are consistent with Labor’s long-standing calls for protection of civilians, urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza and an end to extremist rhetoric.” We will push for the implementation of these orders, as well as for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and a permanent one Urge a ceasefire.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not commented on the ruling, but the Telegraph newspaper reported that Downing Street referred its reporter to an earlier speech by Sunak in which he described South Africa's lawsuit against Israel as “completely unjustified.”
Germany
Germany called on Israel to comply with the court's ruling and allow the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock refrained from openly criticizing Israel's military offensive, but emphasized that the country must fulfill its international obligations.
“The International Court of Justice did not rule on the matter, but ordered interim measures as part of a preliminary procedure. These are binding under international law. Nevertheless, Israel must also adhere to it,” said Baerbock.
France
The French Foreign Ministry said it was deeply committed to respecting international law and reiterated its trust and support for the International Court of Justice.
European Union
“Orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The European Union awaits its full, immediate and effective implementation,” the European Commission said in a statement.
Political parties of the European Parliament
Left Party MPs in the European Parliament called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They noted that while the court ordered Israel to “take all measures in its power” to prevent and punish genocide in Gaza, compliance with the order “now means an unconditional, immediate and permanent ceasefire.”
The Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament pledged “full support for the role and work of the International Court of Justice and the primacy of the UN Charter and international law.”
In a post about Hamas.”
Amnesty International
Amnesty International said the ruling was important and “Israel must abide by the International Court of Justice's key ruling, which orders it to do everything in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
“Today’s decision is a crucial reminder of the critical role of international law in preventing genocide and protecting all victims of atrocities. “It sends a clear message that the world will not stand idly by while Israel wages a ruthless military campaign to decimate the population of Gaza and unleash unprecedented levels of death, horror and suffering on the Palestinians,” said Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General the human rights group said.
Human Rights Watch
Balkees Jarrah, deputy director of international justice at Human Rights Watch (HRW), described the verdict as “a landmark decision that makes clear to Israel and its allies that immediate action is needed to stop genocide and further atrocities” against the people of Gaza to prevent.
“Lives are at stake and governments must urgently use their influence to ensure the order is enforced. The scale and severity of civilian suffering in Gaza caused by Israeli war crimes demands nothing less,” Jarrah said.
Jarrah noted that the court's “clear and binding orders raise the stakes for Israel's allies to reinforce their stated commitment to a global, rules-based order by helping to ensure compliance with this watershed decision.”
Kenneth Roth, former executive director of HRW, said in a post on “Stopping severe deprivation.”