As disheartening as the ICJ’s ruling is, it allows the world to see both people and institutions for their true colors whether it be the intent of world leaders, the ineffective nature of international organizations and international law, and the bias of the media. These realities are having an impact and the world is unraveling as a result of the truth being presented so clearly.
Many people had pinned their hopes on the ICJ ruling for Palestine. Too many news outlets are crediting this as a win, but it is not a win when the ICJ could have called for a ceasefire and they did not. They did rule in favor to continue the genocide case against Israel, but the ICJ did not utilize its influence to stop the genocide. In the case against Russia’s war on Ukraine, the ICJ did demand an immediate ceasefire. It is this hypocrisy and inconsistency that demonstrates how ineffective and compromised these institutions and people are and why the power structure must change.
The six provisional measures the ICJ ordered for Israel:
Israel is breaching its obligation under the Genocide Convention.
Israel must cease killing, causing bodily harm, or mental harm deliberately on Palestinians.
Israel must ensure that anyone committing genocide is held accountable.
Israel must allow the preservation of evidence.
Israel must respect the human rights of Palestinians and allow Palestinians back to their homes.
Israel must provide reassurances that they are doing all of these steps.
Just like Russia, though, Israel will also disregard the ruling. Netanyahu had already stated that no one would stop his war. Israel has already disregarded UN Security Council resolutions that ARE legally binding. Why does anyone think they will uphold the ruling of the ICJ which is not legally binding when they refuse to even respect resolutions that can hold them accountable?
Has everyone forgotten the UNSC resolution for humanitarian aid and access? That is legally binding and Israel is refusing aid into Gaza. How is Israel not being held accountable for that? The US is doing nothing to pressure Israel to allow into Gaza. Today, the US went as far as removing funding for UNRWA which would gravely affect starving Palestinians. The US claims that some of the aid workers supposedly were associates of Hamas and assisted in the October 7th attack on Israel. Why today to remove funding for UNRWA? Was this another way to punish Palestinians? While Trump would have openly sanctioned the members of the ICJ which he did for members of the ICC, the Biden administration has selected a different route to punish those who seek justice, even when justice is not achieved.
Leaders and nations can take action through sanctions or a trade embargo, yet they do not. Why? Because the US threatens their economy (and not just the US but all of the countries complicit with the US in Israel’s genocide).
WHY ARE NO DISCUSSIONS ON THE LACK OF SANCTIONS AND TRADE EMBARGOES ON ISRAEL FROM PUNDITS AND NEWS ORGANIZATIONS? NO ONE is bringing this up EVER. WHY? I want to see one news organization discuss the lack of sanctions and embargoes on Israel and the US. Tell me why there are no sanctions. Where are the in-depth investigations as to why leaders and international organizations are not placing sanctions on Israel?
News outlets are spinning the ICJ ruling as a win, just as they had spun the UNSC resolution requiring humanitarian aid into Gaza, and look where that has led. Nowhere. Not one news organization has even brought up the resolution in reference to Israel’s defiance of accountability under a legally binding resolution. They are all touting this case as a game-changer, which shows how out of touch and entrenched the media is with performative showmanship.
Nothing will stop Israel until leaders actually take action, but it has been 112 days of genocide and they remain inactive. They have no conscience or care for humanity and human rights. They simply want the world to perceive them as caring. This case in the ICJ directly reflects this performative show that produces nothing more than leaders feeling good about themselves while never actually doing anything for Palestinians.
The greed of our leaders has destroyed humanity.
Israel knows that the US will shield them from economic accountability so they will continue with the genocide against innocent Palestinians and then annex Gaza.
The only way to stop Israel is truly in the hands of the people. WE have to fight for Palestine because it is beyond evident that leaders and organizations will not.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest
Boycott
Vote them all out
BE UNGOVERNABLE
Vote 3rd party
Demand sanctions and embargoes for- Israel, US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, UAE, Rwanda, and Uganda
Please extend the same energy to other people and countries facing atrocities and genocide- Sudan, Congo, West Papua, the Rohingyas, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.
Articles for reference:
The Guardian: This momentous ICJ ruling may be brushed aside by Israel- but the US and UK can't afford to ignore it
Reuters: ICJ ruling: Key takeaways from the court decision in Israel genocide case
Al Jazeera: What the ICJ's interim ruling means for Israel's war on Gaza