International Court of Justice decision makes clear all signatory countries to the genocide convention – which includes New Zealand – must be part of preventing genocide in Gaza

The International Court of Justice decision early this morning is a step towards accountability for Israel and justice for Palestinians.

The Court has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and provide critical assistance to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It has also said accountability to the genocide convention relies on all countries of the world to play their part.

The onus is now on Israel and its small coterie of supporters – including New Zealand which has been complicit through its silence – to end the war in Gaza.

Previously Israel has ignored ICJ rulings as it did in 2003 when the court ruled Israel’s infamous “apartheid wall” across the Palestinian territories was illegal under international law. This must not happen now.

New Zealand must now pile the pressure on Israel. To do this we must bring our policy in line with the intention of the ICJ decision namely.

Condemn Israel’s indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza – just as we condemned the killing of Israeli civilians in the October 7th attack on Israel
Call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Condemn the war crimes of collective punishment, forced displacement and denial of food, water and fuel to Palestinians in Gaza
Demand the unimpeded humanitarian aid to the people living in Gaza

In 2014 when Israel launched war on Gaza the John Key government called in the Israeli ambassador and made clear New Zealand’s expectations. The Christoper Luxon led government has failed to take even this most basic measure of accountability for Israel.

It is past time for doing that. The government must close the Israeli embassy till Israel is in full compliance with the ICJ decision and the broader provisions of international law such as allowing Palestinian refugees the right to return to their land and homes in Palestine, ending the military occupation of Palestine and ending Israel’s apartheid policies against Palestinians.

PSNA protests around the country this weekend in 23 centres will be calling for this.