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02 February 2024 / Marc Weller
Issue: 8057 / Categories: Features , Profession , International
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South Africa v Israel: A dilemma for the ICJ

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As the court orders Israel to prevent genocidal acts, Marc Weller analyses the decision, the response & its implications
  • The court faced a dilemma in this highly political case. But it has decided a long list of cases involving the use of force between states.
  • The court did not formally conclude that Israel has engaged in acts of genocide. Rather, it found that South Africa could plausibly argue that the conduct falls within the ambit of the Genocide Convention.
  • Even though there was no cease-fire order, the case has important ramifications for the conflict.

International law has made the global headlines again. The eagerly anticipated preliminary measures order rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Gaza genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel has commanded world-wide attention. As could be expected, the decision has received a mixed reception.

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, immediately hailed the decision as a victory for international law, for his country and for Palestine.

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