UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has endorsed South Africa’s initiative to persuade the Inter­national Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank as a genocidal war.

Pakistan’s UN mission said in a statement issued on Wednesday that Pakistan “eagerly anticipates” the ICJ’s “advisory opinion” regarding the legal implications of Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, Pakistan shared its opinion on this issue during a UN General Assembly debate in New York on the use of veto by the United States on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.

“Israel’s war in Gaza is brutal—a veritable genocide,” said the country’s UN envoy Usman Jadoon while addressing the session. “Israel’s indiscriminate slaughter of innocent Palestinians, including children and women, is a flagrant violation of international laws and the UN Charter.”

“Pakistan welcomes South Africa’s initiative to bring Israel’s transgressions under the Genocide Convention to the ICJ,” Jadoon said. Urging the international community to act now, Jadoon stated, “This genocidal war must be stopped forthwith in accordance with the UNGA’s resounding call for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire.”

On Oct 27, 2023, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza with 121 votes for, 14 against, and 44 abstentions. On Dec 22, the UN Security Council also passed a resolution to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Jadoon highlighted that Israel has been constantly violating both resolutions by continuing its military offensive and refusing to allow a regular flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024