At a plenary session of the European Parliament (EP), EP members called for the European Union’s support for South Africa’s lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel. They accused the country of committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
Claire Daly, EP member for Ireland, said in her speech that Israel has lost the support of the international community because of its actions, including the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and the continued bombing of Gaza.
Daly criticised Israel for what she called “provocative” actions aimed at fuelling regional conflict. She also accused Israel of seeking help from the US in an attempt to evade responsibility.
In her remarks, Daly also lashed out at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the US, drawing parallels with the situation in Yemen. She said:
As we saw in Yemen, butcher Biden is preparing for office with Madame Genocide (von der Leyen) by his side. They are the ones who ensure the continuation of Israeli terrorism. If it weren’t for them, it would have ended long ago.
Heidi Hautala, EP member for Finland, urgently called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, citing the inability to meet basic medical needs due to Israeli bombardment. Hautala emphasised the importance for the UN International Court of Justice to investigate thoroughly allegations of Israeli violations of the Genocide Convention.
Ciaran Cuffe, EP member for the Greens, emphasised the need for Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be held accountable for violations of international law. Cuffe highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where constant Israeli bombardment is preventing the delivery of essential aid and medicine, resulting in operations on children without anaesthesia.
Abir Al-Sahlani, EP member for Sweden, drew attention to the devastating impact on children in Gaza, highlighting the alarming number of child casualties. He called for strong collective action to stop being complicit in such atrocities.
Pedro Marques, EP member of the Portuguese Socialists, drew attention to the staggering death toll in Gaza, with 70 per cent of the victims being women and children. Marques stressed the urgent need to bring to justice those responsible for violations of international law and war crimes.
Kostas Papadakis, Greek EP, member expressed support for South Africa’s appeal to the International Court of Justice, calling the ongoing attacks in Gaza “genocide”.
Manon Aubry, French EP member, emphasised the need to support South Africa’s case before the International Court of Justice, calling Israel’s actions “genocide”. She called for the suspension of partnership agreements with Israel and a halt to arms exports, calling for an end to complicity.
South Africa filed the lawsuit end of December, accusing Israel of genocide in its war on Gaza and seeking a halt to the brutal military assault that has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians, nearly 10,000 of them children.
