ICJ Landmark decision underscores the acknowledgment of the harsh realities surrounding Israel's persistent genocidal attacks on Gaza Dear Email, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action) welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue provisional measures against Israel for its genocidal acts in Gaza. The case was brought by South Africa on December 29th, 2023, accusing Israel of "genocidal acts." This morning, the ICJ issued a decisive rebuke of Israel's brutal aggression in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most of whom are civilians. Although it's an interim judgment, the ICJ ruled that Israel must take immediate measures to halt all genocidal acts in Gaza. The court’s president, Judge Joan Donoghue, stated that Israel must abide by the Genocide Convention and “take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope” of the convention, in particular, the killing of civilians, inflicting bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. 15 out of the 17 judges agreed that the numerous and highly inflammatory comments made by some senior Israeli officials, which could be interpreted as an endorsement of deliberately harming civilians, gave “plausibility” to South Africa’s allegations that Israel has genocidal intent against Palestinians in Gaza. In summary, the provisional measures demand the following of Israel: - Israel must halt attacks on Palestinians
- Halt incitement against Palestinians as a group
- Ensure Humanitarian aid
- Preserve evidence
- Submit a response to the court within one month
The ICJ's omission of the term "ceasefire" in its ruling is not a loophole but a glaring call to action. The prescribed provisional measures are unequivocally contingent upon a cessation of hostilities/ceasefire. Israel's ruthless assault on Palestinian civilian life has resulted in the tragic murder of hundreds of thousands of lives within a mere 112 days, obliterating dozens of family bloodlines. The indiscriminate attacks persist unabated, inflicting untold suffering on the densely populated Gaza Strip, with no foreseeable conclusion in sight. This ICJ victory is a critical milestone; its importance should not be undermined, and we believe it will eventually arrive at the proper conclusion that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. It exposes the complicit position of the Biden administration, which chose from day one to act as an accomplice of Israel and defend its crimes by considering the case filed by South Africa "meritless." AJP calls on the Biden administration to end its complicity in the war crimes Israel is committing, halt all weapons transfer to it, and immediately call for, facilitate, and impose an indefinite ceasefire on Israel. We must have a permanent end to all attacks on Palestinian life, including an end to the siege on Gaza and the occupation of Palestine. In solidarity,
Americans for Justice in Palestine Action | 
