ICJ VERDICT SIGNFICANT FOR HUMANITY
January 30, 2024In an interview on the BBC following the ruling handed down by the International Court of Justice, Dr. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision to accept South Africa’s case, accusing Israel of genocide.
“”…this is a very significant day, not only for the Palestinian people, not only for South Africa, but FOR HUMA”” Dr Zomlot said.
BBC anchor, Matthew Amroliwala, questioned Zomlot on “”…what has to happen now if Israel does not comply with any of these instructions…what do you think should happen?””
Zomlot replied: “”We have the right to defend ourselves. It is now the responsibility of the international order, which, if it does not really perform in a way in accordance with its own mandate, will be the beginning of its own end.””
So true! If the international community does not reinforce the ruling by its own highest court, who were almost unianimous in their condemnation of Israel, this will mark the end of the current world order as we know it.
Watch and listen to his poignant words.
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English Script:
Mathew: The Ambassador and head of the Palestinian mission to the UK is Dr. Zomlot. Your snapshot reaction to what you’ve heard coming from The Hague?
Husam Zomlot: Well, this is a very significant day not only for the Palestinian people, not only for South Africa, but for humanity. Today was a big challenge for the international judicial system, and the court has come up with a very clear verdict. First, they have accepted South Africa’s case that Israel is committing genocide. Finally, finally, Israel is on trial for genocide. And it’s now going to have to face the wrath of international legality.
Mathew: What we know today, though, is that there was no call for an end to the military operation itself or a ceasefire. Are you disappointed about that.
Husam Zomlot: I was hoping for much more clarity on that. However, I think the court was clear issuing a ruling for all states, including Israel, to abide by the following things, that Israel has to stop immediately killing Palestinians. It’s as simple as that, that it has to allow for humanitarian aid to to enter unhindered, that it must not tamper with any evidence. You see why it’s on trial, that it has to report back in one month. And this puts a serious pressure not only on Israel as the as the state committing the genocide, but on third parties worldwide, because now we will be watching and following and working with any third party that is complicit in the genocide, including the U.S. and the UK. And looking at issues of arms exports, looking at issues of material support for the genocide, the provisional measures the court provided is clear. They didn’t say cease fire, but it means immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.
Mathew: You accept, I assume, Israel’s right to self-defense?
Husam Zomlot: No, I don’t. No, I don’t. This concept does not apply on an occupier. This concept does not apply on a colonizer. This concept does not apply on a besieger. This concept certainly does not apply on a state that has just been accused of genocide and now on trial.
Mathew: The 1200 people that were killed by Hamas, you’re saying in terms of Israel, don’t have a right to defend itself after an event like that? That is really what you’re saying.
Husam Zomlot: Israel has the right to defend itself only when it has quitted its occupation, its illegal presence. It’s the people who are under occupation that have the right to defend themselves, have the right to resist as per international law. This whole concept has been so twisted and has led us to the genocide we are discussing. Now, Israel was given carte blanche under the pretext of self-defense. Governments like yours, Matthew, have given them a green light to commit the genocide under the pretext, the guise of self-defense.
Mathew: They recognize Israel’s right to self-defense. Now the discussion has been how they have executed this war, and that is why we’ve got to go to The Hague today.
Husam Zomlot: Do we have the right to defend ourselves? We are under occupation, under colonization, and under apartheid. We live a system of racial domination and segregation. And Gaza has been under siege for 17 years. Do we have the right to defend ourselves? Answer me, please Mathew.
Mathew: I don’t answer your questions, you’re here to answer mine. In terms of what has to happen now if Israel does not comply with any of these instructions, what do you think should happen?
Husam Zomlot: It is now the responsibility of the international order, which, if it does not really perform in a way in accordance with its own mandate, will be the beginning of its own end. Because this is not a moment for Palestine or South Africa. This is a moment for the world. Everybody is watching, the people in the south, that’s why the level of South Africa, the people in the East, millions are following. This is a moment when everybody wants to see rules being applied on everyone equally. Not just a group of us, not just a club of us. It is our right to resist and defend ourselves. They are engaged in a constant 75 year old system of oppression, repression of a people that are in quest for liberation, for freedom, for justice, for a home they can call their own state. Israel is waging a war to defend its occupation, its expanding its illegal colonies. That’s what Israel is doing. What we are doing is trying to say enough is enough. This is a time that you leave our territory, that we establish our state of own and you respect international resolutions. So don’t throw it on us and on the victims. The politics of blaming the victims has lasted for a long time, 75 years. And today the judges have clearly said who is the aggressor and who is the victim here.
