AN MSP has lodged a motion with the Scottish Parliament, urging members to vote in support of South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel.
Maggie Chapman, Scottish Greens MSP for North East Scotland and the party’s justice, equality, human rights and economy spokesperson, lodged the motion on Thursday to recognise the importance of the case brought against Israel by South Africa.
Chapman (below) also wrote to First Minister Humza Yousaf on Thursday, asking him to write to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron to ask if the UK Government would also show support for South Africa’s case.
South Africa launched the case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks.
South Africa’s submission to the United Nations’ top court in The Hague alleges that “acts and omissions by Israel … are genocidal in character” as they are committed with the intent “to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
A hearing into that request started on Thursday and will last until Friday, with a decision on provisional measures expected to take a couple of weeks.
A final decision on whether Israel has violated the Genocide Convention could take years.
The text of Chapman's motion, titled Supporting South Africa's International Court of Justice Case, reads: “That the Parliament commends the Republic of South Africa for submitting an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an urgent order declaring that Israel is in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as ‘acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group’;
“Believes that this action is important and will help put a stop to what it sees as the killing of many innocent Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including children, the destruction of their homes, their expulsion and displacement, as well as the enforcement of a blockade on food, water and medical assistance on Gaza;
“Understands that the ICJ has scheduled a hearing for 11-12 January 2024;
“Considers that South Africa is well-placed, given its history of apartheid, to raise this matter in the international community;
“Looks forward to the ICJ ruling, and hopes that it will end what it considers to be the senseless and indiscriminate murder of the civilian population in Palestine, as soon as possible.
Chapman also spoke with campaigners who staged a sit-in protest inside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
Writing on Twitter/X, Chapman said: “I also spoke with peace campaigners who staged a sit-in in Parliament earlier today.
“Thanks to people like them, and many others around the world, the people of Palestine will not be forgotten, the cause of peace will continue to be championed.
“We stand together.”
I also spoke with peace campaigners who staged a sit-in in Parliament earlier today. Thanks to people like them, and many others around the world, the people of Palestine will not be forgotten, the cause of peace will continue to be championed. We stand together ✊🕊️🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/QDYOFaoZOA
— Maggie Chapman MSP (@MaggieChapman) January 11, 2024
In her letter to the First Minister (below), Chapman wrote: “I am writing on behalf of my constituents who recently contacted me regarding South Africa’s Application Instituting Proceedings at the International Criminal Court against Israel.
“My constituents are very clear: they support the action by South Africa, and think it appropriate for you, as First Minister, to write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary about this.
“They would like you to ask if HM Government supports the action of South Africa and will also discharge its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and also, if HM Government will not support the action, if it will supply detailed evidence as to why.
“I share their views that this issue [is] of grave international importance, and that states are held accountable.
“The decisions of the UK Government should be transparent. I would appreciate your consideration of this request to write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.
“I look forward to your response, which I will share with my constituents and make public.”
