It also asks the Hague-based court to issue an interim order for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Israel “must be held to account” and that Irish premier Leo Varadkar “needs to act now”. “In initiating proceedings at the International Court of Justice, South Africa has shown the leadership and solidarity that is needed from right across the international community to end Israel’s bombardment of Gaza,” Ms McDonald said. “There must be a ceasefire, there must be sanctions, and Israel must be held to account. South Africa can bring the case under the Genocide Convention because both it and Israel are signatories to the convention.

Source: The Herald December 30, 2023 19:20 UTC