All Measures in its Power
The International Court of Justice has ordered that Israel must take “all measures” in order to prevent genocide in the Gaza strip, in a series of provisional measures ordered by the court.
Similarly, they have ordered that the military take these same actions to ensure the prevention of genocide, and that Israel prevent and punish within it’s power any public incitement to genocide, including those by high ranking Israeli officials.
They have also ordered Israel to ensure the establishment of basic services in Gaza and the facilitation of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Israel has one month from the date of the order to produce a report in the measures they have taken to adhere to these principles.
Notably, the provisional measures instituted do not include a direct order to halt the war, as was requested by South Africa, after the court had stated the provisional measures to be ordered were not found necessary to be the exact ones requested by South Africa.
These orders came after the court rejected Israel’s request to throw out the case entirely.
The court affirmed the validity of a dispute between South Africa and Israel (the existence of which was rejected by Israel in its defence on January 12th, referring to the case as a ‘unispute’), affirmed the allegations fall within the provisions of the genocide convention, affirmed the Palestinians of Gaza as a protected group under the genocide convention, and took a brief look at the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Judge Donoghue, the President of the Court, stated that 93% of people within Gaza are facing “crisis” levels of hunger.
It is unclear at this time how this will affect Israel’s war effort.
