Mokonyane: ICJ ruling on Israel ‘goes beyond ceasefire’
The ANC believes the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case against Israel go beyond the request for a ceasefire.
The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide against the people of Gaza.
South Africa lodged an application with the ICJ last month, arguing that Israel was violating the UN Convention on Genocide in its war against Hamas.
Read: ICJ orders Israel to 'take all measures' to prevent genocide
https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/icj-orders-israel-take-all-measures-prevent-genocide/
Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.
Militants also seized about 250 hostages, and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.
Israel's ensuing military offensive has killed at least 26,422 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
ANC deputy secretary general Nomvula Makonyane told the media on the sidelines of a national executive committee meeting that the ruling does not ease the pain suffered by the Palestinian people.
"The ANC applauds the International Court of Justice’s resolute judgement on the genocide case brought by the ANC-led South African government against apartheid Israel.
"In the view of the ANC, the provisional measures go beyond a ceasefire, demanding Israel to prevent genocide, punish incitement, preserve evidence, provide humanitarian aid and submit a report within a month.”
At the same time, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa had achieved its objective since the ICJ judgment amounts to a ceasefire.
"We have achieved the objective of our submission. So, in our view, our prayers were responded to by the court, and the court has granted us what we had requested.”
