Int'l Court of Justice ruling could limit IDF operations

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Israel will appear next week before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague to contest South Africa's accusations of war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip. Israel is concerned that the ICJ will issue an order that would limit the IDF's activity in the Gaza Strip in the war against Hamas. Following the accusations, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IDF and Ministry of Justice held discussions on how to proceed, and last night, in discussions headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was decided that Israel would participate in the ICJ hearing, which begins next week.

South Africa filed charges against Israel with the ICJ last week for its alleged indiscriminate use of force, and forcibly expelling residents from their homes. In a detailed complaint, South Africa cites the harm caused to Gaza's residents, including 21,000 killed. The charges refer to reports by the World Health Organization on the dangers of starvation and IDF operations focusing on civilian centers including courts, museums and mosques. South Africa has asked the court to issue an interim order to Israel urgently, ordering it to stop military operations in the Gaza Strip.  [This is a South Arica where there were 27000 murders last year and women's groups are reporting a rape every 26 seconds]

The danger confronting Israel is that the court will issue such an order that will limit its activities in the Gaza Strip in the fight against Hamas. The court does not impose sanctions, but it may turn to the UN Security Council to request enforcement. However, in the UN Security Council, the US has a right of veto, in contrast to its power in the ICJ, where it has one of 15 judges.