This is an entry from: Israel-Palestine live: Israel’s response to South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ ends
Israel has sought to prevent a 'humanitarian disaster' in Gaza, says Israel at ICJ
12 January 2024 10:48 GMT
Malcolm Shaw the main legal advocate at the ICJ made the following concluding remarks:
- Shaw presented intense Israeli bombing of the besieged Gaza Strip as a case of “self-defence”
- If Israeli soldiers violated the laws of war, they will be judged within Israel's "robust" legal system, said Shaw. Israeli soldiers are rarerly tried or convicted in Israeli courts for crimes they commit against Palestinians
- "Remarks or actions by a soldier do not and cannot reflect policy. What comes from the IDF chief of staff clearly show the intent to prevent and reduce civilian casualties and following the rules of war"
- Shaw said calls for genocide by Israeli politicians are "random quotes which are not in conformity with government policy is misleading at best"
- Israel has sought to prevent a "humanitarian disaster" in Gaza
- Shaw also cites Israeli military directives in effect since October 7, in one of which, he says “‘attacks will be solely directed at military targets while adhering to the principles of distinction, proportionality, taking precautions in attacks to reduce collateral damage’ — this is a directive that binds all IDF forces”