, Member of Parliament for
Leicester East, says that South Africa’s victory having invoked
the genocide convention against Israel at the International Court
for Justice, advances justice and protection for Palestinian
civilians. applauded South Africa in
following the footsteps of South African giants Nelson Mandela
and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
said:
“South Africa’s success in winning an order for Israel to comply
with provisional measures to end its genocidal assault on Gaza is
a huge advance for justice and protection for two million
Palestinians in Gaza facing death not only from bombs, missiles
and bullets but also from burgeoning hunger and disease.
“When many of the world’s so-called ‘leading’ nations either sat
on their hands whilst civilians, mostly women and children, were
slaughtered, or – worse still – actively participated or
supported Israel’s actions - South Africa stood up and walked in
the steps of Mandela and Tutu.
“Tutu called for a global boycott of Israel while it perpetrated
crimes against the Palestinians, but he also exhorted
Palestinians and Israelis to look beyond their leaders and see
each other’s common humanity. Israel’s leaders are now
dehumanising Palestinians as an excuse to slaughter them.
“Mandela famously said that none of us are free until
Palestinians are free – and he fearlessly pointed out the
terrorism of the Israeli regime.”
“Now his successors have won a massive victory, for the people of
Palestine and for justice. Even if Israel ignores the court and
its allies veto enforcement, they will now clearly be flouting
the international ‘rules-based order’ they claim to stand for. In
order to comply an immediate ceasefire is necessary. I salute
South Africa and the other nations who backed its case and look
forward to the ICJ’s final judgment on the merit of the genocide
accusation.
“It is to the UK’s eternal shame that we were not among those who
stood on the side of justice.”
“As the International Court for Justice has ruled, South Africa
has a plausible case, its time for the UK and others to stop
arming Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire.
