Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola says he is hopeful that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule in favour of a ceasefire in due time. The ICJ delivered its judgment in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel earlier today.
The ICJ has ordered Israel to take preventative measures to limit killings and acts of genocide in Gaza and to allow for humanitarian aid in the territory but the court did not insist on a ceasefire.
Lamola says it is nonetheless a victory for the international rule of law and civilians in Gaza.
“Obviously the court has a wider discretion in terms of the decisions it can make. So, with those measures the reports that they have to provide and all that, I do believe that we’ll see a cessation of fire. And obviously with the international pressure, with the work that we still have to do with the court, I do believe that we’ll be able to reach a situation where the children of Gaza can see peace and the women and elders in the area.”
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has described the ruling as a watershed moment in South Africa. The ANC’s NEC watched proceedings in the midst of the structure’s meeting in the east of Johannesburg.
An elated Mbalula says that South Africa supports the people of Palestine as they share the same painful history of apartheid.
“The world will remember us that when we were facing apartheid the world never forsaken us. The world was with us because we are free today because the people of the world were with us in the fight against apartheid. It was correct and it is still correct for South Africa to stand on the side of justice against injustice and the rest of humanity agree with us. And today it is very important and a very watershed judgement in solidarity with the Palestinians.”
