Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not yet commented on Friday’s International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s war against Hamas, but his caucus appears to be divided over the interim ruling handed down by the United Nations Supreme Court. .
Earlier, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an interim emergency judgment against South Africa’s claim that the war in Gaza amounted to genocide. In its ruling, the court ordered Israel to take steps to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in the Gaza war, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.
“I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t call for an immediate ceasefire,” Liberal MP Salma Zahid told reporters before Friday’s caucus meeting.
“As a signatory, it is Canada’s duty to persuade Israel to adhere to what has been said so far in terms of making sure that civilians are protected, making sure that humanitarian aid gets there. I think so,” she added. .
Friday’s ICJ ruling is seen by many as a victory for South Africa, as it confirms that the genocide claim is plausible enough to warrant a full trial. The court also ruled that South Africa had the right to pursue claims against Israel under the Genocide Convention.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, a Jewish lawmaker who has emerged as a prominent voice for the community in his caucus, said Friday’s ruling only considered whether South Africa’s claims would move forward.
“Today, the court did not take a view on whether Israel is committing genocide,” he said. “My position is that Israel did not commit genocide, and I find this case baseless, insulting, and useless to bring.”
CBC News has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for official comment on the ruling, but has not yet received a response.
“Canada supports the ICJ’s important role in the peaceful resolution of disputes and its efforts to uphold the international rules-based order,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s office said in a media statement.
“Our support for the ICJ does not mean that we accept the premises of the case brought by South Africa. It is the ICJ that will make the final decision on this matter, which has not yet been done today. We continue to monitor the matter closely. “
The court ordered Israel to refrain from actions that may: genocide convention We will also ensure that our military does not commit any acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel must also report to the court within one month what steps it is taking to comply with the order.
reaction to the verdict
Ido Moed, Israel’s ambassador to Canada, defended his country’s response to the Hamas attack and said Israeli policy would not change as a result of the verdict.
“We have acted in accordance with the rule of law, international law and international humanitarian law,” he said in Ottawa on Friday. “This is what we have always done and what we will continue to do.”
Moed said Israel was “protecting itself from evil” and would share evidence with the ICJ to support its claims that it was acting lawfully.
International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue read a preliminary ruling ordering Israel to do more to reduce the death toll in the Gaza Strip. Although the ruling was binding, it was not enforceable and did not call for a complete ceasefire.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh responded to the ruling on social media, saying, “Canada has a responsibility to protect innocent people.”
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must immediately call on the Israeli government to respect the ICJ’s decision and abide by the interim measures,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Canada must seek:” [a] A ceasefire, humanitarian aid, the release of hostages, a halt to arms sales, and support for the ICC’s efforts to investigate and prosecute all crimes in the region. ”
The National Council of Canadian Muslims said the ruling is an “important first step” but it still hopes Canada “takes action towards a ceasefire.”
The council said in a media statement that it was “disappointed that the ICJ did not issue a clear interim order for a cease-fire, but the court found that Israel should do everything within its power to stop the genocide in Gaza.” “We have overwhelmingly ruled that it is necessary to take action.”
war in gaza
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed an estimated 1,200 people, including members of the Israeli security forces, civilians, and foreigners, according to the Israeli government. About 250 other people were taken hostage.
In response, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza. He said the military operation was targeting Hamas and his supporters, not civilians.
The Gaza Ministry of Health said more than 25,000 people had died in the conflict in the Gaza Strip as of Monday. This estimate does not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters.
Israel has also cut off supplies and electricity in the enclave, leading to a humanitarian crisis and desperate pleas for food, medicine and water. Limited humanitarian aid has been allowed to Gaza for the past 100 days.
In December, South Africa appeared before the United Nations’ highest court, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and asking the court to order Israel to stop its attacks. South Africa also called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The submission to the International Court of Justice states that the aim is to “destroy the Palestinian people of Gaza” as part of a broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group, and that “actions and omissions by Israel… He claimed that the attack was of a genocidal nature.
At a two-day hearing earlier this month, South Africa condemned Hamas’ brutal attacks in Israel but said the scale of Israel’s response in Gaza was unwarranted.
Although court decisions are binding, there is no ability to enforce the judgment. The UN Security Council will decide what steps need to be taken to enforce the ICJ’s judgment.
