Óige Ghlas are extremely disappointed and concerned that the International Court of Justice’s initial ruling does not demand Israel suspend its military operations or seek a ceasefire. Similarly, its failure to order Israel to halt its forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes seems seriously misjudged. Numerous statements by leading Israeli figures as well as the actions of the Israeli military over the last few months make it clear that Israel is seeking to ethnically cleanse Gaza. It is incumbent upon the international community and its institutions to stop this genocide.

We welcome the ICJ’s instruction to Israel to take preventative measures against genocide and ensure the provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid in Gaza. However, ongoing indiscriminate attacks continue to endanger thousands of Palestinian lives, as well as the lives of Irish and Israeli citizens trapped in Gaza. Those who survive Israeli rockets and IDF attacks, and manage to avoid a slow death from orchestrated famine and disease, will suffer permanent physical and psychological trauma.

We call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to respond more vocally, and to ensure that Ireland takes any available unilateral action open to us in pursuit of a ceasefire. Ireland must also redouble its efforts to overcome any EU veto on preventing further Israeli aggression.