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The ICJ ruling on Israel and Palestine:
On December 29th 2023, the world was not ready for what was about to come. A shock for the
world came when South Africa filed a case in the International Court of Justice(ICJ) against
Israel, accusing it of committing ‘genocidal acts’ in Gaza. South Africa filed the case claiming
that Israel was in violation of the 1948 Convention on Genocide, which both countries are a
party to.
South Africa requested that the ICJ move urgently to prevent Israel from committing further
crimes in the strip using “provisional measures” – essentially an emergency order that can be
applied even before the main case begins. They argued that provisional measures are necessary
“to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people
under the Genocide Convention, which continue to be violated with impunity”.
Israel however claimed that the charges were bogus, and lambasted South Africa for bringing the
case to the ICJ. President Isaac Herzog even said that the case was “preposterous”. Israel claimed
that all their acts were legal, and in self-défense in accordance with Article 51 of the United
Nations Charter. At the same time a number of countries (mainly consisting of OIC nations)
backed South Africa and agreed with them.
The case’s ruling was eventually given on the 26th of January 2024, by a 15 member bench. This
ruling proved to be highly important for the war between Israel and Palestine. The ruling ordered
that Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. The interim ruling issued by the
court ordered six provisional measures, including for Israel to take all measures to prevent
genocidal acts, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide, and take
immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in
Gaza. The ICJ also ordered Israel to preserve evidence of genocide and to submit a report to the
court within a month regarding its compliance with the order.
Pictured: Judges that were a part of the 15 member bench which ruled on the case