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South Africa immediately hailed a “decisive victory for the international rule of law.”
Published on January 26, 2024 2:41 p.m. Updated on January 26, 2024 3:34 p.m
Reading time: 1 min
The South African delegation during the hearing at the International Court of Justice on January 26, 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands. (DURSUN AYDEMIR / ANADOLU / AFP)
The United Nations' highest court on Friday, January 26, called on Israel to do everything it can to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip, issuing a long-awaited decision. Israel must do everything possible to “prevent the commission of acts that fall within the scope” of the Genocide Convention, said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) based in The Hague (Netherlands).
The institution also calls on Israel to allow humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. The Jewish state must “immediately take effective measures to enable the provision of essential services and humanitarian assistance that Palestinians urgently need to cope with the adverse living conditions.” [ils] the International Court of Justice ruled in its decision (PDF link).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted immediately, calling South Africa's allegations of “genocide” in Gaza “scandalous.” “The despicable attempt to deny Israel” the “fundamental right” to self-defense is “blatant discrimination against the Jewish state and has been “rightly rejected,” he said.
Reactions from several countries
South Africa hailed a “decisive victory for the international rule of law and an important step in the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people.” The South African Foreign Ministry believes that the court “found that Israel's actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal and on this basis indicated interim measures” and thanks it “for its quick decision.” The Spanish government and the Turkish president also welcomed the International Court of Justice's decision.
France has not yet officially responded. At the