The World Court will tell the world on Friday whether it is ordering Israel to stop or alter its military operation in Gaza after considering the arguments in South Africa v. Israel by both sides on Nov. 11 and 12.
South Africa said in an 84-page application that Israel is committing genocide and that its intent to do so is evident, while Israel denied the accusation. The 15-judge court, with two more ad hoc judges appointed by both sides, will decide whether to open a full case against Israel, which would take years to decide.
And it will also announce whether it will agree to South Africa’s request for provisional measures to order Israel to cease or alter its military activity. To make such an order the court has only to be convinced that South Africa made a plausible argument that genocide is taking place.
The court’s decisions are legally binding on all U.N. member states, which includes Israel. Its orders can be enforced by the U.N. Security Council through economic sanctions and even military force, though the United States would undoubtedly veto any such enforcement resolution.
Photo: Judges at the ICJ listening to British barrister Malcom Shaw arguing for Israel before the World Court on Jan. 12 © UN TV Screenshot.
Source: Consortium News.
