What the U.N. court ruling means for Israel and Gaza
Post Reports
The Washington Post
4.4 • 5.1K Ratings
🗓️ 29 January 2024
⏱️ 21 minutes
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Summary
On Friday, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to do more to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza. South Africa brought the case to the court, alleging that Israel is committing genocide. Today, we break down the court’s ruling.
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This month, the International Court of Justice heard a case brought by South Africa against Israel. South Africa alleged that, following the attacks on Oct. 7 by Hamas, Israel has committed genocide during its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Israel strenuously denied the allegations.
Last week, the ICJ announced an initial ruling in the case. The court ordered Israel to enact several “provisional measures” to prevent the possibility of genocide. The final decision on whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza could take years to decide.
The Washington Post’s Brussels bureau chief, Emily Rauhala, was in The Hague on Friday when the decision was announced. She joins Post Reports to explain the court’s decision, and discuss what happens next.
Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Lucy Perkins. Thanks also to Marisa Bellack, Erin Cunningham and Matt Brown.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Please be seated. |
| 0:05.0 | seated. |
| 0:07.0 | This month, a United Nations Court has been considering a closely watched case brought by South Africa. |
| 0:15.0 | It alleges that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians and Gaza. |
| 0:20.1 | More than 26,000 people have been killed there. |
| 0:23.3 | On Friday, the International Court of Justice |
| 0:26.4 | ordered Israel to do more to prevent civilian deaths. |
| 0:30.0 | The court said that the plausibility of genocide under international law made that need more urgent. |
| 0:36.7 | In the court's view, at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa |
| 0:42.4 | to have been committed by Israel in Gaza |
| 0:45.1 | appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the convention. |
| 0:49.4 | I think it's important to say off the top that this was not a verdict on the question of whether or not Israel has committed genocide. |
| 0:59.4 | Emily Rahela is the Brussels Bureau chief for the post. She was at the Hague when the court announced |
| 1:04.5 | the ruling. |
| 1:05.5 | On Friday, what we heard from the court was a decision on something called provisional measures. |
| 1:11.6 | These are emergency steps that the court can take to prevent a conflict |
| 1:15.8 | between countries from getting worse as a case plays out usually over the course of |
| 1:20.9 | years. |
| 1:22.0 | South Africa had asked for Israel to end its military operation in Gaza |
| 1:28.0 | and for a bunch of other steps, more humanitarian aid for instance. |
| 1:33.0 | And on Friday, the court decided to order Israel to take actions to prevent genocide |
| 1:40.0 | by limiting the killing and harm of civilians in Gaza. |
... |
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