South Africa hailed what it called a “decisive victory” for international rule of law, after the ICJ ruled in favour of its request to impose emergency measures against Israel over its military operations in Gaza.
The South African government said that its country would continue to act within institutions of global governance to protect rights of Palestinians in Gaza and thanked the court for its swift ruling.
“Today marks a decisive victory for international rule of law and a significant milestone in search of justice for Palestinian people,” it said.
South Africa also said that it sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this order.
Speaking on the steps of the seat of the ICJ, Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s minister of international relations, told reporters that Israel will have to halt fighting in Gaza if it wants to adhere to the orders of the UN’s top court.
“How do you provide aid and water without a ceasefire?” Pandor said.
She added, “If you read the order, by implication a ceasefire must happen.”
Back in South Africa, senior officials welcomed the ruling.
“It’s a watershed judgement for all those who want to see peace in Palestine,” Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the ruling African National Congress party, told reporters.
Also, the Palestinian foreign ministry welcomed orders by the ICJ on Friday and called it an “important reminder that no state is above the law.”
“It breaks Israel’s entrenched culture of criminality and impunity, which has characterized its decades-long occupation, dispossession, persecution, and apartheid in Palestine,” it added.
Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian foreign minister, said that “The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favor of humanity and international law.”
Al-Maliki added that Palestine called on all states to ensure the measures ordered by the court are implemented “including by Israel, the occupying power.”
Al-Maliki asserted that governments must ensure that they are not complicit in this genocide, starting with stopping arms trade with Israel.
“Governments must also endeavor to stop the industrial slaughter and destruction in Gaza,” he added.
“The Palestinian people and leadership will be forever grateful to the people and government of South Africa for taking this bold step of active solidarity. We are also grateful to the millions of people who have not stopped taking to the streets around the world to protest the genocide and champion Palestinian rights to life and freedom.
“Palestine will continue to work with allies to ensure an end to the genocide, accountability for the atrocious crimes, and the protection of our collective rights as peoples of the world to equal human rights, justice, and freedom. This is a fight for humanity the world cannot afford to lose.”
Riyad al-Maliki
Hamas also hailed the court’s “important” ruling, saying that it “contributes to isolating Israel.”
“The [International] Court of Justice’s decision is an important development which contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza,” it said in a statement.
Netanyahu Reacts To ICJ Ruling
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to Friday’s ICJ ruling.
Netanyahu said the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges was a “mark of shame that will not be erased for generations”, and he pledged to press ahead with the war.
He said, “We will continue to defend ourselves and our citizens while adhering to international law.”
He also said that “Israel is fighting a just war like no other.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Security Minister also responded to Friday’s ICJ ruling by posting “Hague Shmague” on X.
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