Israel plans to continue defending itself against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the International Court of Justice on Friday gave a nod to South Africa’s genocide claim against Israel.
“The accusation of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false but also outrageous and should be rejected by decent people everywhere,” the Israeli prime minister said.
“On the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I recommit as Prime Minister of Israel never again. Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization.” He said Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering and equally unwavering is the country’s sacred commitment to continue to defend “our land and defend our people.”
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our land and defend our people,” Netanyahu said in an English-language video posted online.
Declaring Hamas a “genocidal” organization, Netanyahu says Israel’s war is being waged against “terrorists, not Palestinian civilians”, adding that Hamas has vowed to repeat the “atrocities” of October 7 “again and again”. Despite the war, “we will continue to facilitate humanitarian aid and do everything we can to keep civilians out of harm’s way, even as Hamas uses civilians as human shields,” he says.
The World Court on Friday ordered Israel to ensure that its military does not commit any acts that could amount to genocide during its campaign in Gaza against Hamas. The court, formally known as the International Court of Justice, also ordered Israel to immediately allow “urgently needed essential services and humanitarian aid” to Palestinians from Gaza.
Citing inflammatory rhetoric by some Israeli leaders, the court also ordered Israel to punish and prevent incitement to genocide.
The court reserved a decision on the core of the case, whether Israel had committed genocide, but said that “in the court’s view, at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa that Israel committed in Gaza appear to be liable to fall.” within the provisions of the Convention”.
Image Source: Toledo Blade
