By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling ordering Israel not to commit genocide in its military operation in Gaza.
Officials of the ruling ANC who were attending a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, including Ramaphosa, watched the live screening of the ICJ ruling.
As the court concluded its interim ruling, Ramaphosa, ministers and other party members were seen jubilating.
On Dec. 29, South Africa filed a lawsuit with the ICJ requesting an injunction against Israel on the grounds that Israel’s attacks on Gaza violate the Genocide Convention.
Giving its interim decision in the genocide case at The Hague on Friday, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take “all measures within its power” to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.
The court also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.
Ramaphosa said the ruling is a victory for international law, for human rights, and for justice.
“We have called Israel’s attacks on Gaza genocidal acts, and they should be held accountable. Some have told us to mind our own business and not get involved in the affairs of other countries.
“They said it was not our place, and yet it is very much our place as a people who know too well the pain of dispossession, discrimination, state-sponsored violence and as people who were victims of the crime that was apartheid. They said it’s not our place, but it’s very much our place,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said Israel should take all measures to prevent and punish incitement to genocide.
“This order is binding on Israel, and must be respected by all states that are party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. We expect Israel as a self-proclaimed democracy and a state that respects the rule of law to abide by the measures handed down by the International Court of Justice.”
Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa will not be passive bystanders and watch the crimes that were “visited upon us being perpetrated elsewhere.”
“We stand on the side of freedom for all. We stand on the side of justice. Thirty years ago, following our first democratic elections, President Nelson Mandela declared: “Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
“And so, we say again today, never, never and never again shall it be that acts of genocide are perpetrated with impunity as we, the international community look on. “Ramaphosa said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu effectively slammed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that Israel’s actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal.
Meanwhile El Al Israel Airlines said on Friday it was suspending its route to Johannesburg at the end of March, citing a steep drop in demand after South Africa accused Israel of genocide at the World Court.
Israel’s flag carrier flies up to twice weekly nonstop to Johannesburg.
“Israelis don’t want to fly to South Africa,” said an El Al spokesperson. “They are cancelling flights and planes are pretty empty… We understand it’s the situation because it was different before.
“The fact that the Israelis don’t want to go to South Africa but do want to go to other places helps us decide that we’re pausing that route,” she said. The company also cited the current security situation.
Watch Live in the video below:
Video Coutresy of ENCA.