World nations, bodies react to ICJ ruling on Gaza
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The EU says it expects full implementation of World Court orders, still without calling for a ceasefire.
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A Palestinian woman reacts over the body of a child as she sits by bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on November 18, 2023. (AP)
The United Nations' highest court asserted its jurisdiction to act on the emergency measures sought by South Africa in its lawsuit against "Israel's" actions in the Gaza war.
As the reading proceeded, the court recognized the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide, adding that the Palestinians are a protected group under the Genocide Convention.
The Court ordered "Israel" to take all measures to prevent genocide acts in Gaza, ensure its forces do not commit genocide, and take measures to improve the humanitarian situation.
"Israel" is required to submit a report to the court within a month, detailing its actions to comply with the order. Furthermore, it must implement measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in the context of its war on Gaza.
South Africa hailed temporary measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the genocide lawsuit against "Israel" at the Hague on Friday, describing them as a "decisive victory" for the international legal system.
A French left-wing legislator praised the temporary measures, describing the verdict as "historic", noting that it "clearly established the risk of genocide in the Gaza Strip."
Qatar, Egypt, Algeria welcome ruling on 'Israel'
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune instructed his country's permanent mission to the United Nations to request that a Security Council meeting be held as soon as possible in order to activate the decision of the International Court of Justice.
Algeria believed that the court’s decision regarding the case filed by South Africa against the Israeli occupation in the court “is a prelude to the end of the era of impunity from which the Israeli occupation has long benefited to unleash its oppression on the Palestinian people and all their legitimate rights.”
Likewise, Algeria renewed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “its great appreciation and support for South Africa for taking Israel to the International Court of Justice.”
Qatar's Foreign Ministry stated on Friday that it welcomed the ICJ verdict against "Israel". The Gulf country has functioned as the primary mediator between the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli occupation.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry also applauded the ICJ decision and expressed in a statement that Egypt was "looking forward to the International Court of Justice demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as the Court ruled in similar cases."
EU expects full implementation of World Court orders
The European Union stressed Friday it expects "Israel" and Hamas to fully comply with the ICJ's verdicts, urging the Israeli occupation to prevent crimes of genocide and do more for the protection of civilians, without mandating a ceasefire.
It urged Hamas and other Resistance factions to promptly free any captives they have.
Moreover, in a statement, the European Commission articulated that ICJ orders are "binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The European Union expects their full, immediate, and effective implementation."
On its part, the Belgian government called on "Israel" to “fully implement” the court's ruling.
“Belgium takes note of the order of the International Court of Justice on the request for the indication of provisional measures. We call upon Israel to fully implement the provisional measures of the Court’s order,” Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, said in a statement on X.
De Croo said Belgium would continue to “closely follow” the proceedings by the ICJ.
“In the meantime, we call upon all parties to the conflict in Gaza to respect an immediate ceasefire, respect International Humanitarian Law and grant permanent and unimpeded humanitarian access, for all hostages to be immediately and unconditionally released and to work towards a two- state solution,” he added.
Belgian Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, said on X: “In every conflict, there are rules. International law must be respected.”
“Belgium supports the (top UN) Court and calls for the full implementation of the Court’s interim measures,” she added.
Meanwhile, Belgian Development Cooperation Minister, Caroline Gennez, also welcomed the Court rulings and urged Israel to allow “unhindered humanitarian” aid in Gaza.
“Using hunger as a weapon is a war crime,” she stressed.
Iran wants Israeli officials to face charges after World Court ruling
According to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in an X post, the authorities of the Israeli regime should be brought to justice for committing genocide and war crimes against the people of Palestine.
موفقیت آفریقای‌جنوبی در دیوان بین‌المللی دادگستری در جریان طرح شکایت از رژیم صهیونیستی را به دولت و ملت آفریقای‌جنوبی، ملت فلسطین و خانم نالدی پاندور وزیر امور خارجه این کشور تبریک می‌گویم.
— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) January 26, 2024
بار دیگر بر حمایت جمهوری اسلامی ایران از ابتکار عمل دولت آفریقای جنوبی تصریح می‌کنم.…
Spain to continue being an advocate for peace
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed that in light of the recent ruling, Spain would "continue to advocate for peace and an end to war, the release of hostages, and access to humanitarian aid."
Sanchez also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state in order for there to be "coexistence and security."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the ruling "valuable" and expressed hope that the Israeli occupation would end its attacks against the vulnerable.
Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, called the ICJ decision a "landmark" that alerts "Israel" and its allies that there needs to be immediate action in the prevention of the genocide in Gaza along with other war crimes.
The Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil also welcomed the ruling in a statement on X in what he called "obvious violations by Israel."
#Comunicado Venezuela saluda el dictamen emitido por la CIJ el 26 de enero de 2024, a favor del pueblo palestino y la desestimación de la solicitud de Israel , que ordena al Estado sionista tomar "todas las medidas" para proteger al pueblo de Gaza; en respuesta de la demanda… pic.twitter.com/zPbIieTusH
— Yvan Gil (@yvangil) January 26, 2024
Meanwhile, top leaders in the Israeli occupation expressed on Friday outrage following the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa's genocide case against the entity regarding its ongoing war on Gaza.
Israelis considered that the mere acknowledgment that "Israel" is involved in what the court described as "possible genocide" acts is enough to tarnish the entity's "international image".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the "outrageous" and "vile" ruling, vowing that the war will continue against "genocidal" Hamas until it reaches its objectives, which as previously declared are to return the captives, "eliminate Hamas", and end the Resistance in Gaza.
Many world countries and international organizations have said earlier that "Israel" is committing crimes against humanity in Gaza, however, Netanyahu said the ICJ's final statement is a "mark of disgrace."
Unsuprisingly, Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the organization as "antisemitic" that seeks to "persecute Jewish people," asserting that the occupation entity will "do what is necessary" to achieve its goals in Gaza.
