Gaza: The World Court opens a hearing on Israel’s request to stop the Rafah attack
Linked with South Africa case is ongoing accused Israel of violating its obligations to Genocide ConventionThe new request, filed May 10, asked ICJThe 15 judges ordered Israel to “immediately withdraw and cease military operations in the Rafah governorate” and open the area to international aid workers and journalists.
South Africa laid out its arguments on Thursday afternoon and Israel is expected to respond at public hearings on Friday at the Hague-based ICJ, which is established by the Court. International Justice. uncharted as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
You can read South Africa’s current full requirements This and watch Thursday’s proceedings at the ICJ’s Peace Palace in the Netherlands below:
The new demand calls for ‘unimpeded’ access to Gaza
Amid looming famine and increasingly dangerous Israeli incursions into Gaza, the emergency request asked the court to order Israel to immediately “secure and facilitate access to Gaza.” unhindered” access to the area for United Nations and other aid officials, fact-finding missions, investigators and journalists.
That measure was requested to allow officials and reporters to “assess and document conditions on the ground in Gaza and to allow for the effective preservation and retention of evidence,” with Israel ensuring “its military did not act to block that access,” according to the South China Morning Post. African Apps
South Africa also asked the court to order Israel to submit a report within a week of the order on the steps taken to implement these new interim measures.
Vusimuzi Madonsela of South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa: ‘Stop the ongoing genocide’
Representing South Africa, Vusimuzi Madonsela, the country’s ambassador to the Netherlands, said his country was forced to return to court under its obligations under the Genocide Convention “due to the continued extermination of the Palestinian people , with more than 35,000 people now dead and most of Gaza reduced to rubble.”
“Despite the short notice of this hearing, South Africa has come here today to do what it can to stop the ongoing genocide,” he said.
Israel is “violating the binding orders of this court” and Security Council he said, referring to the ICJ’s orders in January on provisional measures in connection therewith South Africa v. Israel Israel will, among other things, ensure essential aid to Gaza is not hindered.
A UNRWA school in Khan Younis, which served as a shelter when the conflict began, is now in ruins.
The ‘safe zones’ declared by Israel in Gaza are anything but safe
Among the lawyers and experts presenting South Africa’s arguments Thursday on its latest demand, Vaughn Lowe said “the key point today is Israel’s stated goal of eradicating Gaza from its is about to be made”.
“Evidence of horrific crimes and atrocities is being literally destroyed and bulldozed, effectively wiping out the books of those who committed these crimes and making a mockery of justice,” he said. .
Max du Plessis, a lawyer for South Africa, said the “safe zones” declared by Israel were anything but safe.
“There is nothing humane about these humanitarian areas,” he said. “Israel’s genocide of Palestinians continues through military attacks and man-made famine.”
Panorama of the ICJ courtroom in The Hague in the case of South Africa v. Israel.
Temporary measures pursuant to applicable court orders
The ICJ has issued a number of orders imposing provisional measures South Africa v. Israel case, which began in January after South Africa applied on December 29 for the world court to review its charges against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention.
ICJ delivered an order on January 26 on interim measures, declaring that Palestinians have the right to protection from acts of genocide and calling on Israel to “take all measures in its power” to prevent such acts. and allow much-needed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.
Read the entire content of the command This.
The court assigned it Additional temporary measures in MarchResponding to requests from South Africa.
In that decision, the ICJ ordered Israel, “in view of the worsening living conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, in particular the widespread famine,” to take “all necessary measures and effectively to ensure, without delay, completeness”. in cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered delivery on a large scale by all stakeholders of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians across Gaza.”
Members of the legal team representing Israel at the ICJ in South Africa v. Israel.
Next step
The United Nations’ top court will hear Israel’s response on Friday.
ICJ judges will then meet to make a decision on whether to issue a new order.
Interim measures are a type of temporary restraining order before a final decision on the case, which can take years before a verdict is reached. These measures are considered “mandatory,” but the courts have no means to enforce them.
Learn more about ICJ and South Africa v. Israel case here:
