Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the International Court of Justice's decision in The Hague “scandalous” and assured that Israel would continue to do “whatever is necessary” to defend itself.
The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) this Friday called on Israel to “take immediate and effective measures” to allow humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and to “punish” any incitement to genocide against Palestinian civilians, but did not call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. In this sense, he called on Israel “to ensure, with immediate effect, that its military does not commit any act prohibited by the Genocide Convention.”
The Palestinian Authority is satisfied
Palestinian Authority (PNA) Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki congratulated himself on the decision taken in The Hague, recalling that the UN court's decisions constituted “binding compliance.”
“Palestine welcomes the interim measures ordered today by the International Court of Justice. The judges of the International Court of Justice assessed the facts and the law.” They failed in favor of humanity and international law,” Maliki said in a video message released by his ministry.
Following South Africa's genocide claim at the International Court of Justice, the UN court today ordered Israel to do so “take immediate and effective action” to allow humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and to “punish” any incitement to genocide against Palestinian civilians, although he did not call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
South Africa's reaction
The South African government, for its part, celebrated the ruling as “a decisive victory for the international rule of law.” “In a historic ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found that Israel's actions in Gaza are plausible.” “It is genocide and has been committed on that basis interim measures are indicated,” the South African Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement thanking the court for its decision, Europa Press reports.
However, South Africa has warned that “individual states with veto power must now not be allowed” to thwart international justice as the ruling is formally referred to the United Nations Security Council. “Third states are now aware of the serious risk of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. That’s why they must act independently and immediately.” Prevent genocide by Israel and ensure that they themselves do not violate the Genocide Convention,” he said.