Gaza war: Ireland backs South Africa in Gaza genocide matter
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Ireland has announced that it will intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which has made global headlines.
Foreign Minister Micheal Martin on Wednesday said that while it was for the ICJ to decide whether genocide is being committed in Gaza, the turmoil there “represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale”.
“The taking of hostages. The purposeful withholding of humanitarian assistance to civilians. The targeting of civilians and of civilian infrastructure. The indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The use of civilian objects for military purposes. The collective punishment of an entire population,” Martin said in a statement.
He did not elaborate on the form of the intervention, but said his government’s move followed legal and policy analysis and consultation with several partners including South Africa.
The ICJ in January ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians, after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.
South Africa has hailed Monday’s UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The United States has previously vetoed three draft resolutions on Gaza, but on Monday it abstained which allowed Resolution 2728 to take on the force of international law.
It calls for “an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire” and also “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa is pleased that the council has, “at long last, demanded an immediate and lasting ceasefire" and called on the Council to ensure it is enforced.
-0- PANA CU/MA 28March2024
