Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed today\u2019s decision by the International Court of Justice, calling it a landmark ruling that must be a turning point to end the violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s landmark ruling by the ICJ is a clear win for South Africa and must be a turning point in this horrific conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cSignificantly, the court recognised the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide \u2013 and for Israel to do much more to ensure that humanitarian aid and basic services reach people in Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also welcome the fact that the court called for the unconditional release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, and other armed Palestinian groups \u2013 something that should happen immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the court did not order a complete cessation of Israel\u2019s miliary operation in Gaza, it is difficult to see how Israel can comply with the court\u2019s order in the absence of a ceasefire. Gaza is the most densely populated place on the planet. Missile strikes and its ground invasion will inevitably lead to civilian casualties.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that the ICJ has found that Israel, a Western democratic State, has a case to answer for alleged genocide is itself very significant.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenocide is the worst human rights crime and the fact that Israel must now defend itself against allegations it engaged in genocide is a dark stain that will forever be attached to that State\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also questions to answer for Israel\u2019s cheerleaders in the international community \u2013 particularly the United States, the UK and Germany \u2013 who have watched the wholesale slaughter in Gaza and endorsed Israel\u2019s right to engage in this massacre.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is overwhelming evidence to support a genocide case against Israel. Since October 7, 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, reported missing or wounded, with the death toll now almost at 26,000. Separately, senior Israeli officials have engaged in genocidal rhetoric.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith South Africa\u2019s genocide case set to proceed to a full hearing, the international community, including Ireland, can no longer sit on the fence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Irish Government\u2019s stance on South Africa\u2019s ICJ case has been extremely inconsistent. While the Taoiseach initially said Ireland would not get involved, his position has shifted considerably in recent weeks due to political pressure and ongoing public revulsion at Israel\u2019s massacre of innocent civilians in Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis week, after voting down a Social Democrats\u2019 motion calling on Ireland to support the ICJ case, the Government said it would consider intervening \u2018as a matter of urgency\u2019 after the court makes its order on preliminary measures and after South Africa submits its substantive case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis delay is unconscionable. The Government must indicate its intention to support South Africa \u2013 and begin the considerable legal analysis that will be involved in intervening in the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarlier this week, the T\u00e1naiste stated that \u2018Israel must be held to account\u2019. Despite these strong words, the Government has failed at every opportunity to do exactly this.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the ICJ has rejected Israel\u2019s contention that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the case, and found there is a possibility that a genocide is being inflicted on the Palestinian people, the Irish Government must stop dithering and immediately signal its intention to support South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
January 26, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed today\u2019s decision by the International Court of Justice, calling it a landmark ruling that must be a turning point to end the violence. \u201cToday\u2019s landmark ruling by the ICJ is a clear win for South Africa and must be a turning point in this horrific conflict. \u201cSignificantly, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[408,400,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-foreign-affairs","category-holly-cairns","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n