Solidarity through music. That is what the new song “Palestinian-South African Ballad of Love” is all about.
Some have argued that the ICJ ruling on the Gaza genocide proves that international law is a tool of the dominant, too corrupted by the great powers to achieve true justice. But the ICJ offered a way of isolating Israel, and that is a source of hope.
At least five countries have pulled their funding from the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees over Israeli claims that staff members participated in the October 7 attack. Israel keeps killing Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Do not judge the International Court of Justice solely by whether it calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Much more important is whether it finds South Africa’s genocide allegations deserve a full hearing.
We call on all Jews to reject the politics of Jewish exceptionalism and to hold our communities accountable for supporting and enabling Israel’s genocidal and wholly unjustifiable war.
Irish barrister Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh made international headlines for her stirring presentation to the International Court of Justice on the urgent need to protect Palestinians from Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza. Read her full speech here.
Facing charges of genocide, Israel claims “self-defense” in front of the ICJ, as world powers strike Yemeni rebel group in the name of protecting global trade. Meanwhile, Israel continues to bomb and shoot Palestinians.
Presenting its case before the International Court of Justice, Israel argued that South Africa’s request to end the assault on Gaza was “unconscionable” and a “transparent attempt to abuse the [Genocide] Convention.”
Like many Palestinians, I have lost faith in the international community. But I was emotional watching South Africa lay bare Israel’s crimes at the ICJ. For the first time, our pain was taken seriously, and our call for justice was honored.
As Israel’s attacks on Gaza continued, killing medical workers and journalists, South Africa stood in front of the International Court of Justice and presented compelling evidence of Israel’s genocidal acts and intent.