The South Africa lawsuit in the International Court of Justice against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention will go down in history, regardless of the outcome. It could mark the first step towards finally holding a rogue state accountable for repeated violations of international law or serve as the dying breath of a dysfunctional, Western-led international system. The hypocrisy of Western governments has brought the so-called “rules-based world order” to the point of no return, with full-throttled support for Israel’s actions in Gaza exposing double standards in human rights and international law.
Despite Western complicity, thousands continue to express outrage at Israeli atrocities and Western governments’ limited and belated criticism. The International Criminal Court’s ineffectiveness has also been highlighted, indicting predominantly African leaders until recently and showing slow progress in investigating Israeli actions. Western hypocrisy and double standards have a long history, with international legal norms historically applying only to so-called “civilized” peoples.
Despite these challenges, international law has evolved to recognize the right to national self-determination for all peoples. However, enforcement of international law remains weak, allowing powerful countries to act with impunity. A revolutionary reform of international institutions is necessary to ensure true accountability and justice for all. It will require sustained efforts and pressure from global citizens to create a world order that reflects the voice of the people and ensures “never again” becomes a reality.