The world is hopeful and that hope should not be diminished. The opening arguments in South Africa’s case against Israel for Israel’s genocide of Palestinians started today with powerful arguments and documentation of Israel’s atrocities and crimes against humanity. Using evidence that Israel and Israeli officials have released themselves about their intent and hatred toward innocent Palestinians who are being massacred, South Africa has a solid case.
Please watch the case UN The Hague- The ICJ holds public hearings in the case South Africa v. Israel
Within a few weeks, the ICJ may issue the order for a ceasefire.
What should concern and alarm the world is that most countries that have been found guilty in the ICJ have evaded any actual accountability for their crimes. Russia is the prime example, and disregarded the ruling for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
With that in mind, Human Rights Watch is imploring world leaders and officials to take action. What HRW wants, what the UN wants, what other humanitarian aid groups want, are sanctions and embargoes on Israel and all of the countries that are supporting and supplying Israel. Yet the only country to do so is Malaysia.
It is brave and courageous that South Africa took these steps to uphold international law and human rights, and this case should be heard and respected. There is no teeth to this bravery if there is no accountability that follows. Everything that South Africa is presenting is factual evidence that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians, but what are the world leaders going to do about it?
Unless leaders sanction and embargo Israel and cut economic ties with them, Israel will not stop their killing, destruction, and annexation of Gaza.
What worries me is that this case could end up being part of that performative show and dance for the world so that the perception is that governments are doing something, when nothing actionable comes from it.
What worries me is that every country has witnessed the evidence that South Africa is presenting, and has done nothing to truly help Palestinians ensure a permanent ceasefire. Just because it is laid out in a case should not now drive a government in support of Palestine because these war crimes have been ongoing and the world has seen the horrors.
What worries me is that world leaders will lean back in their chairs, just as they did in the UN with toothless resolutions and feel like they have done enough.
It is not enough.
World leaders can do something now.
World leaders must do something now.
Embargo and sanction Israel and their supporters.
Months have passed. Starvation is worsening in Gaza. Basic needs are not being met for millions of innocent Palestinians. These leaders and officials have the power to do something and they sign their name to this case but still take no action for Palestine, then it is nothing but the performative show.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest. Demand embargoes and sanctions for Israel. BE UNGOVERNABLE. Vote 3rd party. Disrupt everything. Contact elected officials. Share the stories from Gaza. Share the news from Gaza. Share the history of Gaza. Please extend the same energy to other people and places facing genocide and atrocities- Sudan, Congo, West Papua, the Rohingyas, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.
Articles for reference (please read and share):
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-face-gaza-genocide-charges-world-court-2024-01-11/
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/11/south_africa_genocide_case_israel_gaza
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/01/10/world-court-hear-genocide-case-against-israel
https://www.reuters.com/world/human-rights-watch-says-world-must-ensure-israel-abides-by-any-un-court-ruling-2024-01-11/
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/11/icj-south-africa-genocide-israel-gaza#