INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE: ISRAEL HAS A GENOCIDE CASE TO ANSWER

The International Court of Justice has agreed with South Africa that Israel has a genocide case to answer and ordered that the Israeli Government ensures that its military does not commit violations of the Genocide Convention. The New Zealand Government must call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the ICJ's ruling.

WHILE THE International Court of Justice did not call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, its ruling represents a major step toward ensuring one. While many Palestinians wanted the ICJ to order an immediate ceasefire it still represents a major defeat for Israel, the United States and its supporters like New Zealand. A Palestinian journalist says that the ICJ's ruling means that 'Israel's immunity has ended, and this is the beginning'.

The ICJ has effectively agreed with South Africa that Israel has caused indiscriminate death and destruction in Gaza. It recognises that the carnage in Gaza plausibly constitutes genocide. It has ordered that Israel 'take all measures within its power' to abide by the terms of the Genocide Convention. The ICJ has also called for immediate humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services. And, in a telling insight into the ICJ'S thinking, it has ruled that Israel should prevent the destruction of evidence that shows violations of international law. It has ordered Israel to submit a report that outlines all the steps it has taken to implement its ruling. 

In an early statement, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has already signalled that his far right government will simply ignore the ruling of ICJ. The question is whether the United States, in particular, will let Israel trample over international law and allow the carnage to continue.

What will be the response of the New Zealand Government? If recent history is any indication, it will continue to be guided by the actions of the United States. This is not good enough. If Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wants to credibly claim that his government respects and upholds international law, then it must call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of the ICJ's ruling, and demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It should not be awaiting its instructions from Washington.

And given that the ICJ has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide from occurring in Gaza, New Zealand should not be helping Israel to commit them. It should reverse its decision to send New Zealand troops to assist the United States to bomb Yemen. The Houthis have said on several occasions that it will cease disrupting global trade once Israel stops bombing Gaza.