Last Friday, January 26th, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its provisional ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel, ruling that there is a “significant risk of Genocide” in Gaza. Both supporters of Palestine and Israel have declared the outcome of the case as a victory, while there has been disappointment that there was no order for an immediate and total ceasefire. So what are we to make of the ICJ’s ruling? Can we expect Israel to change its behaviour? And if not, what must we do to force them to?
With us to help us answer these questions is Dr. Thomas MacManus, Senior Lecturer in State Crime at Queen Mary University London and Acting Director of the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI). Tom is an expert in international law and was able to explain and contextualise the ICJ’s ruling for us, while remaining focused on what the rest of us – ie. those concerned about the situation in Palestine – can and must do now.
Following this, Helen, Glen & Matt expand a bit of some of the key arguments from the interview, and get into a discussion about Palestine and the utility of international law, while also trying to point a hopeful way forward for the pro-Palestinian movement and the people of Gaza.
Outro Music: Issam Hajali - Khobs