Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Tsunami waves reach Hawaii, calls for emergency measures to protect lives and property.
NHK: Japan records 1.3-meter tsunami.
Russian mayor of northern Kuril Islands says 'everyone' on tsunami-hit islands evacuated.
Israeli media: Take-offs and landings halted at Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli media: Air raid sirens sound in the central region after a missile was identified from Yemen.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 3 families were wiped out from the civil registry due to the occupation's massacre in Nuseirat
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 women and 12 children were killed in the Israeli occupation's massacre in the new camp in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip
10-year-old Palestinian child Nour Abu Sala'a was killed by malnutrition due to the Israeli occupation's siege on the Gaza Strip
Trump says a ceasefire in Gaza is 'possible'
European Union commissioners will discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israeli participation in the EU's Horizon research program: Reuters

Ireland seeks redefinition of genocide in ICJ case against 'Israel'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Dec 2024 10:16
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Ireland is actively rethinking how genocide is defined, pushing for a broader interpretation that reflects evolving global realities amid the ongoing brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • Palestinians bury people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital, in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 (AP)
    Palestinians bury people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Al-Shifa Hospital, in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, November 22, 2023. (AP)

Ireland has declared its intention to intervene in South Africa's case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it aims to push for an expanded interpretation of "genocide" under the Genocide Convention.

This move has sparked a lively debate, with some arguing that it represents an important step toward adapting the legal framework to address new and evolving forms of atrocity crimes in the modern world.

Others, however, perceive it as an attempt to reshape the legal definition of genocide in a way that aligns with political agendas.

ICJ can’t find Israel committing genocide so Ireland is requesting to change the definition of genocide.

I swear you can’t make this up pic.twitter.com/qJBuemdqOU

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 12, 2024

The proposed redefinition could potentially broaden the scope of what constitutes genocide, moving beyond traditional interpretations to include acts that may not fit within the established legal framework but are nonetheless considered egregious violations of human rights.

The shift could have significant implications for how international law addresses future cases of mass violence and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Dive deeper

On Wednesday, the Irish government approved the decision to intervene in the case. Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin stated that Ireland’s participation aims to "broaden the interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a State."

Martin expressed concern over the current understanding of genocide, saying, "A very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized."

Ireland joins a growing coalition of countries supporting South Africa's case, including Brazil, Turkiye, Malaysia, Chile, Spain, Pakistan, and Syria.

South Africa initially filed the lawsuit in December 2023, alleging that the Israeli occupation's actions in Gaza violated the 1948 Genocide Convention.

In January 2024, the ICJ acknowledged the "plausible risk of genocide in Gaza" and the ongoing harm to civilians but stopped short of mandating a ceasefire. However, the court ordered the Israeli occupation to take all necessary measures to prevent further genocide.

Ireland had said in November it planned to join South Africa's case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the end of the year.

This happened after the Irish parliament passed a non-binding motion stating that "genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza."

"Israel" continues its intense siege on Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia, restricting the flow of aid to Palestinians in these areas. Meanwhile, the ongoing aggression on Gaza has resulted in the killings of 44,805 people and left 106,257 others wounded since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza's health ministry as of Wednesday. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with widespread destruction and severe limitations on access to essential services for the affected population.

  • ICJ case
  • redefinition of genocide
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israeli occupation
  • Ireland
  • Genocide
  • ICJ
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

  • Opinion
  • 23 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS