War in Gaza 'will be brought to an end by diplomacy and by politics'
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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that he does not believe any order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would lead to an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Mr Varadkar said that while the Government is a big supporter of both the ICJ and the International Criminal Court (ICC), he believes the war will only be ended by diplomacy and politics.
“What happens at the ICJ and International Criminal Court is really important. We’re very big supporters of these institutions,” Mr Varadkar said.
“But I’m sad to say I don’t believe that an order from the ICJ will bring about an end to this conflict. It didn’t in Ukraine.
“This conflict will be brought to an end by diplomacy and by politics and that’s why we’re focusing on diplomacy and politics.”
Mr Varadkar also confirmed that Attorney General Rossa Fanning will travel to the Hague in late February to make Ireland’s intervention on a separate case regarding Israel and Palestine, surrounding the actions of Israel in the West Bank.
The Taoiseach was responding to calls by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns for Ireland to intervene in South Africa’s case at the ICJ, which accuses Israel of perpetrating a genocide in the Gaza strip.
Ms Cairns said that the Government “lacks courage” by refusing to signal support for South Africa, while other countries like Germany and the US are promising to intervene on the side of Israel.
“There could not be more of a pressing need for countries like Ireland to signal their support for South Africa,” Ms Cairns said, adding that Ireland has a duty under the Genocide Convention to assess the risk of genocide immediately.
However, the Taoiseach said that Ireland is committed to supporting any decision made by the ICJ on its preliminary measures and that the Government would consider intervening when South Africa file their main case.
He added that the South African case is “valid”.
Ms Cairns said that it is “disingenuous” for the Government to say that it is unable to act now.
“We could signal our intention now, start the process with a legal team on establishing the case and we must stand on the right side of history with regard to this,” Ms Cairns said.
“Sitting by and watching this happen, waiting, when 250 people are dying every single day, simply lacks the courage that is needed at this point.”