RAMALLAH, Thursday, May 16, 2024 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Presidency has welcomed the measures taken by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding South Africa's request for additional provisional measures to protect the Palestinian people from ongoing genocide.

In a statement released today, the Presidency noted that these hearings are being held because Israel has demonstrated blatant disregard for international law and the court's orders, committing acts of genocide.

"Instead of halting the genocide and complying with the International Court of Justice's orders, Israel has taken deliberate steps to expand it," the statement said. "This includes closing borders, aggression on Rafah, and stopping life-saving aid such as food, water, fuel, and medicine."

The Presidency emphasized that "this gross violation of international law poses a threat not only to the Palestinian people but to humanity and the integrity of the international system."

"Despite the convening of the world's highest court to deliberate on the most brutal chapter of the ongoing Nakba that began 76 years ago, the Nakba continues to impose oppression, colonialism, apartheid, forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and now genocide on the Palestinian people," the statement added.

The Presidency stressed that "the ICJ bears a historical responsibility to uphold the principles and values embodied in the Genocide Convention, preventing a rogue state from escaping accountability and addressing the complicity of many other states."

The statement highlighted that "the Republic of South Africa has taken the moral, legal, and political initiative to defend humanity, the law, and Palestine."

The Presidency expressed gratitude to South Africa, affirming that Palestine will continue to work closely with South Africa and other allies in this and other legal and diplomatic efforts to stop the genocide and achieve long-awaited accountability and freedom for Palestine.

M.N