Israel is set to hear whether the UN's top court will order it to end its military offensive in Gaza during a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide.
Well they also say that Israel should make sure that the IDF, or subsets thereof, aren’t committing genocide.
Ordering to stop a military campaign as such is out of the jurisdiction of the ICJ AFAIU: Israel does have the right to defend itself against Hamas under international law, arguably has the duty to do so, it’s the above and beyond that’s the issue, what the ICJ can actually rule on.
Stopping the IDF would be a thing for the security council, “ok you’re making a mess of things, we’ll take over, guaranteeing your security from Hamas while not committing genocide”, but given the identity of some veto powers on the UNSC that’s hypothetical at best.
Not what they ruled on so of course they didn’t. They also didn’t call it not a genocide.
What they ruled is that South Africa’s case has enough merit to warrant a preliminary order, meaning that it is possibly, but not necessarily, a genocide, “It is not obvious that there’s no genocide going on”. The actual verdict will take years to reach as it requires establishing intent and everything, not just “civilians are dying and Israel could and should do more to prevent that”.
Well they also say that Israel should make sure that the IDF, or subsets thereof, aren’t committing genocide.
Ordering to stop a military campaign as such is out of the jurisdiction of the ICJ AFAIU: Israel does have the right to defend itself against Hamas under international law, arguably has the duty to do so, it’s the above and beyond that’s the issue, what the ICJ can actually rule on.
Stopping the IDF would be a thing for the security council, “ok you’re making a mess of things, we’ll take over, guaranteeing your security from Hamas while not committing genocide”, but given the identity of some veto powers on the UNSC that’s hypothetical at best.
Notably, they did NOT call whatever Israel has done as genocide.
Not what they ruled on so of course they didn’t. They also didn’t call it not a genocide.
What they ruled is that South Africa’s case has enough merit to warrant a preliminary order, meaning that it is possibly, but not necessarily, a genocide, “It is not obvious that there’s no genocide going on”. The actual verdict will take years to reach as it requires establishing intent and everything, not just “civilians are dying and Israel could and should do more to prevent that”.