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SvennoJ on 10 January 2024
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South Africa’s case at the ICJ ‘strong and robust’: Legal expert

Triestino Mariniello, a reader in law at Liverpool John Moores University, and a member of the legal team representing Gaza victims at the International Criminal Court, says that South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice has a strong chance of succeeding, as it shows how Israeli “conduct has been put in place with the intent to destroy” Palestinians in Gaza as a group.

“Generally, what is difficult in relation to genocide is to prove the intent to commit genocide,” said Mariniello. “But the South African authorities here have submitted a list of statements by Israeli political and military leaders showing clear genocidal intent.”

The legal expert added that it would be difficult for supporters of Israel, including the United States, to ignore any ICJ ruling that does find Israel guilty of committing genocide.

“Legally, the decision is binding. Then, of course, the enforcement of the decision will be political,” Mariniello told Al Jazeera. “Just to be clear, every state has a legal obligation, not just a political obligation, to enforce any decision coming from the International Court of Justice, and I would say it would be really a scandal if states do not implement such a decision.”

First presentations start tomorrow


Poll shows overwhelming UK public support for Gaza ceasefire

A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) has found that 71 percent of the British public believes there should be an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.

“Three months of bombardment and siege have resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Children are starving, the health system is collapsing, and nearly two million people are displaced from their homes. The message from the public couldn’t be clearer: this must end now, and our politicians must play their part in making that happen,” said Melanie Ward, MAP’s CEO.

The poll also found only 17 percent approval for the UK government’s handling of the conflict. Only 9 percent of people approved of the Labour Party’s handling of the conflict, versus 30 percent disapproving. Neither party currently supports an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“This should be a wake-up call to the [Labour] political leadership to realign themselves both with public sentiment, international law and the need to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza,” said Chris Doyle, director of Caabu.

https://www.map.org.uk/news/archive/post/1548-opinion-poll-shows-overwhelming-british-public-support-for-an-immediate-ceasefire-in-gaza

https://yougov.co.uk/about/panel-methodology


Security Council adopts resolution calling for halt to Houthi attacks in Red Sea

Russia, China and Algeria abstained – but importantly, Russia and China did not use their veto power.

The resolution, a copy of which was obtained by CNN, "condemns in the strongest terms the at least two dozen Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels since November 19, 2023, when the Houthis attacked and seized the Galaxy Leader and its crew." 

Here's what else is in the resolution:

  • Demands that the Houthis "immediately cease all such attacks, which impede global commerce and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security"
  • Demands that the Houthis immediately release the Galaxy Leader and its crew
  • Condemns any supply of arms and related materials to the Houthis
  • Calls for cooperation to prevent the Houthis from acquiring these arms and materials to carry out more attacks
  • Respect for "navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law"
  • Urges "caution and restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and the broader region" and diplomatic cooperation to that end.

Well at least the 'world' can agree on that. However still just 'fighting the symptoms'.


https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/galaxy-leader-owner-says-nothing-more-can-be-achieved-by-holding-crew-hostage/2-1-1565031

Nothing can be achieved by their further detention.” Galaxy Maritime and Stamco applauded the actions so far of the Philippines' maritime authorities and other maritime administrations to secure a release of the 17 Filipino seafarers, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, a Romanian and two Mexicans.

Hopefully they get to go home soon.