Genocide's unchecked progression will not be halted by merely issuing advisory opinions
Aggressive Approach to Aid Blockade Reveals Israel's Genocidal Intentions
The outrageous scenario unfolds as the world watches Israel blatantly disregard human life in Gaza. In December 2024, the UN General Assembly decided to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's legal obligations to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, necessary for the survival and basic services of the Palestinian population, and to respect their right to self-determination.
As of April 2025, the death toll in Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza soars, and humanitarian aid has been halted since the beginning of March, with only severely limited supplies allowed prior. Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, brazenly reaffirmed Israel's policy to withhold aid. He lamely justifies this as a means to hinder Hamas from using aid as a tool for manipulation among the population.
Aid restriction equals Israel weaponizing starvation to commit genocide. Katz's elaboration on this point is deliberately left unsaid since it's more convenient to blame Hamas for the violence.
Israel will disregard any advisory ruling since it is non-binding, and the process will take months – sufficient time for Israel to continue its genocide under the pretense of combating Hamas. At most, international pressure on the apartheid state can be anticipated, which equates to inaction, considering the complicity of many countries in Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
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The significance of advisory opinions should precede the inevitable consequences. While it might appear contradictory to argue that an advisory opinion is necessary to determine whether international law is being violated and war crimes are being committed, the reality is that violent actions remain illegal regardless. So, what's the point of advisory rulings, if they cannot be enforced to stop Israel from continuing its genocide in Gaza?
Palestinians in Gaza no longer need more evidence to present to an international institution powerless to stop the genocide. Witnessing the destruction and violence on social media leaves no room for ignorance.
Unfortunately, advisory rulings are often dismissed as lengthy discussions without concrete action. Palestinians are essentially used as cannon fodder to enable international legal discourse. Is it not enough that Gaza serves as Israel's testing ground for lethal weaponry and munitions? That Palestinians are the unwilling participants in Israel's ethnic cleansing of all of Palestine? Is justice following the path of colonialism and its cohorts, camouflaged under the guise of shaping legal approaches?
During the ICJ hearings' second day, the heartrending reality of Israel livestreaming genocide came to light. However, the "world's watchful eye" only reflects international passivity, which poses no real threat to Israel. South Africa's steadfastness in taking up legal challenges is admirable, but the phrase used only highlights the usual indifference of the international community. The ICJ hearings risk becoming yet another example of international tolerance.
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Insights:- Advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice can clarify international law and exert moral and political pressure on states, but their non-binding nature limits their effectiveness in enforcing policy changes, especially in cases like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.- The Israeli government's decision to withhold humanitarian aid from Gaza can be considered a form of 'weaponizing' starvation as part of its genocidal actions.- The ICJ's advisory proceedings have influenced international discourse regarding Israel's obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories, but their impact on policy change has been limited due to lack of enforceable mechanisms and political opposition.
- The world's outrage grows as Israel disregards human life in Gaza, defying international law and basic human rights.
- In a bid to seek justice, the UN General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in December 2024.
- The advisory opinion aims to clarify Israel's legal obligations towards providing humanitarian aid in Gaza and respecting Palestine's right to self-determination.
- Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza increases as aid has been halted since March, with only minimal supplies allowed.
- Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, justifies the aid blockade as a means to prevent Hamas from manipulating the population.
- However, many view this restriction as Israel weaponizing starvation as part of its genocidal actions.
- The advisory opinion, while not binding, can exert moral and political pressure on states, but its effectiveness is limited in enforcing policy changes.
- Palestinians in Gaza suffer under Israel's ongoing genocide, with minimal support from the international community.
- The ICJ hearings expose Israel's blatant disregard for international law, but the international community's passive response poses no real threat to Israel.
- Opinion: The international community must take a more active role in halting Israel's genocide in Gaza and enforcing policy changes in the Middle East.
- News reported a debate among policy-makers concerning the potential implementation of harsh sanctions against Israel for its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
- War-and-conflicts, politics, and policy-and-legislation sections continue to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, offering articles on various perspectives and potential solutions to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
