Reaction to ICJ court ruling on South Africa’s case against Israel

In reaction to Friday’s statement by the International Court of Justice order to South Africa’s court case, which requests Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the commission of all acts in relation to the articles of the Genocide Convention, Sally Abi-Khalil, Oxfam Regional Director for the Middle East said:

“Oxfam welcomes the ICJ’s order and provisional measures as a crucial step towards recognizing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and stopping the bloodshed and unimaginable horrors that 2.3 million Palestinians have already endured. 

“After more than 100 days of indiscriminate bombing in which it has killed more than 25,000 people, sparked a horrific mass displacement of civilians, weaponized starvation and systemically denied them adequate aid, the Israeli government must immediately abide by the court ruling. 

“All States – particularly those supporting Israel with military weapons in spite of the clear risk of them being used to commit war crimes – must equally respect the court’s ruling and refrain from any actions that undermine it.

“Palestinians should not have to endure another day of this suffering. We urge all countries to do all in their power to ensure an immediate ceasefire, ensuring those responsible for violations on both sides are held accountable, and to end Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory.”