DA, Good, SAJBD weigh in on ICJ order
On Friday, the court ordered Israel to take all measures in its power to prevent the killing of Palestinians after South Africa took Israel to the ICJ over its alleged acts of genocide.
President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), US lawyer Joan Donoghue (2R), confers with colleagues at the court in The Hague on 12 January 2024, prior to the hearing of the genocide case against Israel, brought by South Africa. Picture: Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it noted the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s ruling intended to minimise civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, the court ordered Israel to take all measures in its power to prevent the killing of Palestinians after South Africa took Israel to the ICJ over its alleged acts of genocide.
The DA further appealed to the ICJ to move swiftly in determining whether or not the substantive arguments brought by South Africa in respect of the accusation of genocide had merit in international law.
ALSO READ:
• ICJ ruling a win for Palestinian people - ANC
• 'Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas,' says Netanyahu in wake of ICJ order
• ICJ ruling a significant step towards Palestinian freedom - DIRCO
The party's member of Parliament, Emma Powell: "The DA remains resolutely committed to a viable and sustainable two-state solution based on United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Our vision is for a sovereign Palestine, co-existing in peace next to a secure Israel."
GOOD PARTY
The Good Party is calling on what it termed "the powerful nations" to pressure Israel to adhere to the ICJ order.
The Good Party's secretary general, Brett Herron: "After decades of violations of international law, land occupations and the implementation of what many regard as apartheid policies to subdue Palestinian aspirations for justice and equality, it is the world’s first-ever official finding of fault by the state of Israel."
SAJBD
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) says it welcomes the International Court of Justice’s recognition, of Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens, by denying South Africa’s request for a ceasefire.
"It's important to note that this court was never asked to determine the merits of the charge of genocide. It was only asked to provide interim measures, only two of which were granted. The court's call for the hostages to be freed is a fundamental requirement for the end of this terrible conflict."
Here’s the South African Jewish Board of Deputies national chairperson, Karen Milner.
"We continue to mourn the absolute tragic deaths on both sides of this conflict."
Milner says it's regrettable that South Africa didn't put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages from the outset, which it says would have averted the loss of life.