Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary following ICJ ruling
Stephen has written to Lord Cameron after the International Court of Justice ruled that there was plausible evidence that Israel was committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice is the main judiciary arm of the United Nations, set up by the UN Charter which was signed in 1945. In December last year, South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel alleging it had violated its obligations under the ‘Genocide Convention’.
An interim ruling in January 2024 stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza, but demanded Israel try to contain death and damage in its military offensive. Speaking after the ruling, Stephen said: “The ICJ’s interim ruling is profoundly serious. It does not give a verdict on the case but sets out urgent provisional measures that must be followed. I believe Israel must comply with these orders in full.
“I want to see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and have written to the Foreign Secretary stating this. I have also asked for a commitment to review arms exports to Israel and reinstate funding to UNRWA.”