Israel at The Hague

Something you can do right now, Indiana

As salaamu alaykum, Indiana—

Palestinians have long awaited a hearing in The Hague at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thanks to South Africa's brilliant initiative, that day is here.

Israel is on trial for genocide.

Take action: support South Africa's initiative to identify and end the genocide in Gaza.

Both South Africa and Israel are signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention, which gives the ICJ jurisdiction to rule on the charge of genocide.

Israel is not boycotting the proceedings and is appearing before the ICJ today.

South Africa is asking the ICJ to issue an interim order for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. That order could be issued within weeks, even if a trial takes years.

Whether Israel complies is another issue, but Israel's assaults on Gaza will finally be viewed in the legal context of genocide — in the highest court of international law.¹ This is historic.

The long-standing international taboo of holding Israel accountable is breaking, thanks in part to our protests around the world. Now, an interim ruling by the ICJ could slow or stop the daily horror in Gaza.

Take action now: show your support for the South African case.

The UN Genocide Convention defines the crime of genocide as certain acts "committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such."

These acts include "killing members of a protected group" or "causing serious bodily or mental harm" or "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."²

You don't have to be a legal scholar to see that Israel's war on Gaza is a textbook case of genocide.

They have not even tried to hide their intent. Israeli officials have publicly stated:

"There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel. Everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly." – Defense Minister Yoav Gallant³

"Right now, one goal: Nakba! A Nakba that will overshadow the Nakba of 48. Nakba in Gaza and Nakba to anyone who dares to join!" – Ariel Kallner, Member of Parliament⁴

I can think of no better nation than South Africa to lead this case in The Hague. Palestinians and South Africans are connected by the deepest ties: the experience of apartheid and a commitment to freedom.

As Nelson Mandela once said:

"We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."

Be a part of history. Amplify the legal charge of genocide.

In solidarity,

Linda and the MPower Change team

P.S. Want to support our work towards justice for all people, and against white supremacy and Islamophobia? Sign up for a recurring MPower Change gift now.

Sources:

1. "South Africa launches case at top UN court accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza," PBS, Dec. 29, 2023. 
2. The "Harvard Law Review" Refused to Run This Piece About Genocide in Gaza, The Nation, Nov. 23, 2023.
3. What have Israeli officials said about Palestinians in Gaza?, The New Arab, Oct. 15, 2023.
4. "In Israel's call for mass evacuation, Palestinians hear echoes of their original catastrophic exodus," AP, Oct. 13, 2023.

 

 

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