The South African Parliament has embraced the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling on the country's genocide case against Israel, terming it a "landmark ruling." The parliament is urging the international community to exert pressure on Israel to comply with the ICJ's order.
According to Xinhua news agency, the ICJ has found Israel's actions in Gaza to be "plausibly genocidal" and has imposed provisional measures based on this assessment.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, the South African parliament hailed the ICJ's decision as a "significant human rights victory" that vindicates South Africa's stance on an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The parliament called on Israel to respect the binding measures and cease all acts that could be considered genocidal in Gaza and against the Palestinian people. It emphasized that the ruling exposes Israel's non-compliance with international law, including the Genocide Convention, and compels Israel to immediately halt all hostilities in Gaza and facilitate more UN humanitarian aid.
The parliament urged governments, parliaments, and the international community to respond by applying pressure on Israel to comply with the ICJ's order. Additionally, it called on the United Nations Security Council to take swift action, emphasizing that no government or state is above the law.
South Africa initiated proceedings against Israel at the ICJ on December 29, 2023, alleging violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
(With Agency Inputs)
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