UK's Cameron opposes 'Israel' facing ICJ in Gaza genocide case

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Jan 2024 15:51
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UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has expressed disagreement with South Africa's move to bring a case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the genocide in Gaza.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron leaves from 10 Downing Street in central London on December 12, 2023, after attending a cabinet meeting. (AFP)

Despite his earlier concerns about potential breaches of international humanitarian law by "Israel" in Gaza, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated, on Sunday, that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should not subject "Israel" to accountability in the case raised by South Africa.

Cameron, responding to a question on Sky News, shared his view on whether he backed South Africa's assertion that "Israel" should face charges in the ICJ saying, "No, I absolutely do not [think that Israel should be held accountable] ... I think the South African action is wrong, it's unhelpful, it shouldn't be happening."

This comes as the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza enters its 100th day, killing 23,968 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children.

"I can't recall every single bit of paper that's been put in front of me."

When questioned by Parliament's Foreign Affairs committee chair, Alicia Kearns, David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, tried to evade her line of questioning, and didn't confirm whether he had reviewed… pic.twitter.com/uiWROZa8Wt
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 11, 2024

The UK Foreign Secretary also recently attempted to evade a question posed by Parliament's Foreign Affairs committee chair, Alicia Kearns, and refrained from confirming whether he had reviewed any legal advice from the Foreign Office indicating that "Israel" is in violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

However, during his appearance before the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament earlier this month, the former prime minister acknowledged that certain aspects of the Israeli aggression on Gaza had raised deep concerns for him.

"Am I worried that Israel has taken action that might be in breach of international law, because this particular premises has been bombed or whatever?" he said at the time.

"Yes, of course I'm worried about that."

South Africa's case against 'Israel' in the ICJ

South Africa filed a lawsuit in December against "Israel", in which it stated the occupation's inhumane actions since October 7 are "genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group."

It stated that those actions were clearly in breach of the UN's Genocide Convention, leading the court to "order Israel to cease killing and causing serious mental and bodily harm to Palestinian people in Gaza."

A legal hearing on Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza took place in The Hague. The legal teams for both sides had equal time to present their cases, approximately three hours each. South Africa presented its case first on January 11, and was followed by "Israel's" response on January 12. The judgment is reserved for a later date, possibly within weeks.

The decisions made by The Hague cannot be enforced, and there is a possibility that "Israel" might disregard an unfavorable judgment. However, such actions would likely intensify international condemnation of its ongoing aggression against Gaza.