Ireland: The government of Ireland has announced that it will intervene in South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel. It shows the strongest indication yet of Dublin’s concern about the war in Gaza.
In a statement made by Micheal Martin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, he underlined that although it is up to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine whether genocide was being executed, Hamas’ attack in October and recent occurrences in Gaza portray the ‘blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale.”
Martine further said that, “The taking of hostages. The purposeful withholding of humanitarian assistance to civilians. The targeting of civilians and of civilian infrastructure. The indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The use of civilian objects for military purposes. The collective punishment of an entire population. The list goes on. It has to stop. The view of the international community is clear. Enough is enough.”
The Foreign Minister added that the situation ‘could not be more stark.’ He also mentioned that half of the Gaza people encounter looming starvation and 100 percent of the population confront critical food insecurity.
The Irish politician also commented that, “As the UN Secretary-General said as he inspected long lines of blocked relief trucks waiting to enter Gaza during his visit to Rafah at the weekend, ‘It is time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear; surge or starvation.’ I echo his words today.”
Following South Africa’s allegations of state-led genocide in Gaza, the ICJ, also known as the World Court, ordered Israel to abstain from actions that could come under the Genocide Convention and confirmed its armies would not commit genocidal acts against Palestinians. However, Israel continues to bombard and blockade Gaza.
Recently Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, stated that, “The Israeli government is starving Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians, putting them in even more peril than before the World Court’s binding order.”
More than 80 percent of those killed in the war were women and children, which led to criticism of Israel’s targeting of civilians. In the wake of Hamas’ surprise attack, which butchered more than 1,000 people and took dozens captive, Israel established its onslaught in October, massacring 32,490 Palestinians.
Earlier this week, the UN Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and the freedom of Hamas internees. Palestinian genocide allegations were debunked by Israel and its Western allies. A conclusive verdict from the World Court may take years.
Martin did not specify how Ireland intends to intercede or introduce any arguments that the country may progress with. However, he mentioned that the conclusion was made after conducting legal and policy analysis and conferring with various associates, including South Africa.
The Department of Foreign Ministry stated that third-party interventions do not show a precise bias towards any side in a conflict. However, Ireland can submit its perspective on one or more provisions of the Genocide Convention.
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