Iran hails ICJ verdict against Israel, urging trial of regime officials
Court ruling makes waves
International Desk
The Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed the top UN court’s ruling in the Israel-Gaza case with its Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian congratulating South Africa on its success in taking legal proceedings against Israel for its genocidal crimes in the besieged strip.
“I would like to congratulate the South African government and people, the people of Palestine and South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on the country’s success in its lawsuit against the Zionist regime with the International Court of Justice,” Amir-Abdollahian said in a post on his X account on Friday.
The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a cease-fire as requested by the plaintiff South Africa.
The foreign minister reiterated his country’s support for the South African government’s initiative, adding, “Today, the officials of the fake Israeli regime are the most notorious people for the world’s public opinion who have to be brought to justice immediately for committing genocide and unprecedented war crimes against the Palestinians”.
“I should reiterate that the White House’s all-out support for the crimes by the Zionists will never be forgotten and will be pursued by public opinion. I ask all my counterparts in the world to support the action of South Africa at the ICJ,” he said.
In separate comments, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denounced the Israeli regime’s “hostile” reaction to the ICJ’s order for the regime to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the claim of genocide as “outrageous” and claimed Israel would continue to defend itself.
However, he welcomed the ICJ’s decision not to order a cease-fire. Israel claims it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.
Reflecting criticism of Israel voiced in the court’s ruling, a headline in Israel’s Jerusalem Post read: “ICJ badmouths Israel for 35 minutes, then Israel wins”.
Split reactions
Reactions to the top UN court’s ruling Friday in the Israel-Gaza case were split along the lines of the war raging in the Palestinian territory.
The United States reiterated its position that allegations Israel has committed genocide in Gaza are “unfounded”.
“We continue to believe that allegations of genocide are unfounded and note the court did not make a finding about genocide or call for a cease-fire in its ruling,” a US State Department spokesman said.
“Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people,” said the Foreign Affairs Ministry of South Africa, which brought the case before the ICJ.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the ICJ’s decision and called for the international community to “hold Israel accountable” for “violations” of international law.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry “welcomed the provisional measures” ordered by the ICJ, calling them a “victory for humanity... and international justice”.
Kuwait welcomed an “important step” in the conflict, emphasizing the “imperative” for Israel to “respect this decision as well as the principles of international law, humanitarian law and UN resolutions,” according to a Foreign Ministry press release.
“We will continue to advocate for peace and an end to war, the release of hostages, access to humanitarian aid and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, so that both nations coexist in peace and security,” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
The French Foreign Ministry emphasized “the importance” of Israel’s “strict compliance with international humanitarian law” and welcomed the ICJ’s call “for the immediate and unconditional release of the Israeli soldiers”.
“We hope that Israel’s attacks against women, children and the elderly will come to an end,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, calling the ruling “valuable”.
Win and setback
Palestinians said the World Court let them down by failing to order a halt to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, but they also described the proceedings as a victory which had inspired hope of accountability.
“The ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said in a video statement, adding that the ruling “should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity”.
“The (International) Court of Justice’s decision is an important development which contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza,” said the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.
“Orders of the International Court of Justice are binding on the parties and they must comply with them. The European Union expects their full, immediate and effective implementation,” the bloc said.
“The World Court’s landmark decision puts Israel and its allies on notice that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza,” said Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch.
The UN Security Council will meet next week over the decision by the global body’s top court calling for Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza, the council’s presidency announced Friday.
The Wednesday meeting was called for by Algeria, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would give “binding effect to the pronouncement of the International Court of Justice on the provisional measures imposed on the Israeli occupation”.