A File picture of the International Court of Justice in session at The Hague.
Nicaragua on Friday filed a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice, accusing Berlin of violating the Genocide Convention by providing aid to Israel and withdrawing funding from the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA, German News Agency Deutsche Welle said.
By doing so, Germany has reneged on its obligation under international law to prevent genocide, the Nicaraguan government contended.
The case was filed on the same day that the court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza strip and do more to help civilians, but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire as requested by South Africa, which had also accused Israel of committing genocide.
However, the court refused to accept Israel’s request that the case be dropped, saying at least some of Israel’s actions in Gaza cited by South Africa fell within the provisions of the UN’s Genocide Convention.
“The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering,” said Court President Joan Donoghue, and hence could not “accede to Israel’s request that the case be removed from the general list.”
While South Africa and the Palestinians demanded that Israel immediately comply with the court’s order, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would do “what is necessary” to defend itself, and rejected South African move as “outrageous.”
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people. Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself,” Deutsche Welle quoted him as saying.
Separately, the UN, as well as France, the UK, Italy and Germany has sought an investigation into the deaths of over 117 Palestinians when Israeli forces fired at a large crowd milling around an aid convoy in Gaza city on Thursday. Hamas described the incident as a “massacre” but Israel said most died in the stampede after Israeli forces fired “warning shots.”
“I condemn Thursday’s incident in Gaza in which more than 100 people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking life-saving aid,” said UN Secretary General António Guterres.
I condemn Thursday’s incident in Gaza in which more than 100 people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking life-saving aid.
The desperate civilians in Gaza need urgent help, including those in the north where the @UN has not been able to deliver aid in more than a week.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 1, 2024
Describing the incident as “horrific,” British foreign secretary demanded a ceasefire. Insisting that the inadequate aid supplies to Gaza were “unacceptable,” he said that “there must be an urgent investigation and accountability,”and “this must not happen again.”
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