IRELAND has formally joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Ireland, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip,” or South Africa versus Israel, the Court said in a statement.
It comes after the Irish government approved the measure last month, also asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.
This led to Israel closing its embassy in Dublin, accusing Ireland of “crossing every red line” in relations.
“There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced,” The country’s deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin said at the time.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Martin (above) added: “We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.
“Ireland’s view of the convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life – as a committed supporter of the convention, the Government will promote that interpretation in its intervention in this case.
“Intervening in both cases demonstrates the consistency of Ireland’s approach to the interpretation and application of the Genocide Convention.”
In December 2023, South Africa started proceedings against Israel, claiming violations of the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in Gaza.
Several countries have since joined the case, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain and Turkey.
Israel has continued its brutal war on Gaza since a Hamas attack in October 2023 despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Nearly 46,000 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 105,000 injured, according to local health authorities.
