Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on the decisions of the International Court of Justice on the Gaza Strip, called it fair that the court left Israel with the right to self-defense.
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The International Court of Justice in The Hague on Friday ruled on provisional measures requested in South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of committing alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip. ICJ President Joan Donoghue announced at a hearing on Friday that the court ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide in the enclave. The court also ordered Israel to urgently ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the court did not oblige Israel to stop its military operation in the Gaza Strip, which South Africa asked for in its lawsuit.
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“Like every country, Israel has the inalienable right to defend itself. The heinous attempt to deprive Israel of this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it has rightly been rejected. The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it is outrageous, and decent people the whole world must reject it,” the prime minister said.
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On January 11-12, the International Court of Justice in The Hague held hearings on South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel, which is accused of violating the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip. South Africa called on the court to order Israel to end its military operation in Gaza, ensure its residents have access to food, water and humanitarian aid and not impede the access of international missions to Gaza. The South African side also asked the court to oblige Israel to refrain from any actions that could worsen the situation and complicate the trial.
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Israel, in turn, tried to prove that the court should reject South Africa’s request for measures against the Israeli side, including ending the military operation in the Gaza Strip. Thus, the Israeli defense stated that with the help of the military operation in Gaza, the country seeks “not to destroy the Palestinian people, but to protect its own.” Additionally, Israel says it has ensured humanitarian aid flows into Gaza, including food trucks, and there have been no restrictions on the amount of water that can flow into the area.
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On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a claim against Israel under the genocide convention at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on the court to take provisional measures against the Israeli authorities. South Africa pointed out that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip constitute a “violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention.” According to the African country’s statement, “Israel’s actions and inactions… are in the nature of genocide, as they are committed with the specific intent… to destroy the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.”
