Trudeau government has refused to support South Africa’s case despite backing similar efforts regarding Russia, Iran and Myanmar
Last week, South Africa requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague make an urgent order declaring Israel in breach of its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Canadians should support this non-violent bid to curtail the apartheid state’s well-documented and undeniable war crimes in Gaza.
On January 11 the ICJ will begin hearing South Africa’s urgent appeal, which Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have backed. The 84-page brief argues Israel’s actions “are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part” of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
As a signatory of the 1948 Genocide Convention, Israel announced it would respond to the case. It has hired prominent British lawyer Malcolm Shaw to lead its defence in what may be the only time Israel has ever formally responded to an international legal challenge. A preliminary ICJ decision is expected before the end of the month and Haaretz reported a senior Israeli legal expert warning military commanders “there is a real danger that the court will issue an injunction calling on Israel to halt its fire.” What’s more, according to a leaked cable from the Israeli foreign ministry to its embassies, “A ruling by the court could have significant potential implications that are not only in the legal world but have practical bilateral, multilateral, economic, security ramifications.”
As the highest court in the world, ICJ rulings have the force of international law. France’s ambassador to the United Nations has said his country will support the ICJ’s ruling.
Unfortunately, Justin Trudeau’s government has refused to support South Africa’s case even though it has backed similar efforts regarding Russia, Iran and Myanmar. Global Affairs Canada failed to respond directly to a Globe and Mail inquiry about whether Canada supported the case. (more...)
Canada should support ICJ ruling on Israel’s genocide
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