Israel-Palestine war:“Scandalous” accusations for Netanyahu, “victory” for South Africa

In reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu deemed the accusations of “genocide” in Gaza filed by South Africa “scandalous”. Israel has stressed in past hearings that it was acting in self-defense after the Hamas attack and was doing everything in its power to protect civilians. But even if measures aimed at helping civilians “should be encouraged, they are insufficient” to protect the rights of Palestinians, said the ICJ.

South Africa, along with the Spanish government of Pedro Sanchez, welcomed what Pretoria describes as a “decisive victory for the international rule of law and an important step in the quest for justice for the Palestinian people”. For the European Union, the decisions “of the International Court of Justice are binding on the Parties and they must comply with them. The European Union expects their full, immediate and effective implementation,” said a joint statement from the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell and the European Commission.

The order issued Friday is “an important warning that no state is above the law,” Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki responded in a video message. . Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also welcomed this decision.