Hello,
The International Court of Justice will announce on Friday whether it will impose an emergency order on Israel to require it to take action to prevent a possible genocide in Gaza.
The world court, based in The Hague, announced its plan today, saying its president will read the court’s order at 1 p.m. local time on Friday.
South Africa has asked the court to issue an emergency order requiring Israel to prevent “irreparable harm” to Gaza’s people by halting its military offensive in Gaza and lifting its siege of the Palestinian territory. It argues that Israel’s siege and bombing campaign could be a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, and it says Israel has a legal obligation under the convention to take steps to prevent a genocide.
The controversial case has sparked political divisions around the world, but South Africa’s legal team has argued that the court application is the only way to end the suffering of the people of Gaza in the devastating war that began in October.
Full story here by Africa Bureau Chief Geoffrey York.
In Canada, the governing Liberals have been under pressure to clearly state Ottawa’s position on the matter.
Among those calling for clarity was Iddo Moed, Israel’s envoy to Canada, who said in a news release that “Israel urges Canada to leave no room for misinterpretation on a matter that is crystal clear.”
In a statement this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada’s “unwavering support” for international law and the international court does not mean it accepts the premise of the case brought by South Africa.
“We must ensure that the procedural steps in this case are not used to foster antisemitism and targeting of Jewish neighbourhoods, businesses, and individuals,” said the minister’s statement.
At a federal cabinet retreat in Montreal on Monday, Joly was asked why Canada has not, more clearly, taken a side on the issue. The minister referred to her statement. “My statement is my statement,” she said. “I have nothing else to add on that.”
She said Canada is following the case. “We will react to it as things evolve.”
