COSATU supports government’s appeal to the International Court of Justice on the current attacks against the Palestinian people in Rafah

14 February 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) supports government’s appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the current attacks against more than 2 million Palestinian people seeking refuge in Rafah in the Gaza Strip from the attacks by the Israeli Defence Force.

The international community welcomed the sound ruling by the ICJ that Israel’s military onslaught in the Gaza Strip may constitute acts of genocide and other gross violations of the Geneva Convention on the conduct of war. 

The ICJ’s initial ruling bound Israel’s government to cease acts that may result in any forms of genocide and to report on these steps to the Court.  It is clear that Israel has chosen to defy the ICJ through its commencement of indiscriminate acts of war against ordinary civilians in Rafah.

If the ICJ’s authority and rulings are to be respected and authority they deserve, then it is critical that it issue a further compliance order.  Equally the United Nations’ Security Council and General Assembly should not remain silent on this matter when thousands of lives are at risk.

Issued by Matthew Parks, Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, COSATU, 14 February 2024