Government has 'kicked to touch' support for South Africa's genocide case against Israel
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The Social Democrats have roundly criticised the Government for not declaring support for South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Party leader Holly Cairns said that the Government’s motion on Gaza on Tuesday did not contain “concrete” commitments to support Palestinians and hold Israel to account.
“The question of supporting South Africa's case, under the genocide convention at the International Court of Justice, has been firmly kicked to touch,” Ms Cairns said.
“We are told the Government will 'strongly consider' an intervention in the South African case — but only after the preliminary ruling has been made and after South Africa files its substantive case.
“That, as I am sure the minister knows, could take months.”
Ms Cairns was critical of Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who was not present during the debate, saying that he was unwilling to act and listen on the matter. In particular, Ms Cairns compared the Government's response to the war in Ukraine with its response to the ongoing attacks in Gaza.
“When Russia invaded Ukraine, and later attacked civilian infrastructure, the Tánaiste was quick to label its actions 'genocide',” Ms Cairns said, highlighting a tweet from Mr Martin after a Russian attack.
“The Russians, of course, were rightly held to account for their brutal invasion of Ukraine. To name just some of the serious consequences that flowed from that invasion: trade sanctions were almost immediately put in place across the western world, travel visas were cancelled, and bank accounts were frozen.
She added:
Responding to Ms Cairns, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said the Government is taking South Africa’s case against Israel “very seriously”.
Mr McConalogue said that once the ICJ makes its initial decision, the verdict will be carefully analysed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Ireland would only opt to intervene once South Africa files its main case.
“Following that, the Government will consider whether to seek the permission of the court to intervene and, if so, on what legal basis,” Mr McConalogue said.
“As the Tánaiste has made clear, interventions by states are not just about joining one side or another. Rather, they aim to assert a legal interpretation of the issue at hand.”