The decision of the International Court of Justice in Gaza has been declared a decisive victory by South Africa, while it has been condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Responding to the ICJ’s decision, South Africa said, “We are hopeful that Israel will implement the decision of the International Court of Justice and not disappoint us because it is bound by the Geneva Conventions.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice, calling it an important reminder and saying, “The ICJ has made it clear that no country or person is above the law.”
He said, “The International Court of Justice has broken the tradition of Israeli crimes and exceptionalism, which have kept it in control of Palestine for many decades and continued the oppression and injustice of Palestinians.”
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told the news agency Reuters that this decision is an important step that exposes Israel’s crimes and its courage in Gaza.
He further said, “We demand the occupation of Israel to enforce the decisions of the International Court of Justice.”
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the decision and reiterated that Israel has the right to self-defense and that denying this right is a “clearly biased attempt against the Jewish state.”
It is clear that the decision of the International Court of Justice is final and cannot be appealed, but the court is also limited in taking steps to implement its decisions.