Ireland backs bid to include blocking of aid in definition of genocide
Ireland is to seek to widen the definition of genocide to include blocking humanitarian aid in a landmark international court of justice (ICJ) case against Israel.
The Irish government will intervene in the case taken by South Africa and argue that restricting food and other essentials in Gaza may constitute genocidal intent, the foreign minister Micheál Martin said on Wednesday.
“We believe there is a case, given how this war has been conducted,” Martin told the Guardian.
“We will be inviting the court to consider the issue of broadening how you determine whether genocide has taken place or not on the basis of an entire population being collectively punished.”
A clear pattern of behaviour had impeded humanitarian aid, resulting in widespread suffering, he said. “Half the population of Gaza is facing famine and 100% is experiencing food insecurity.”
Aid agencies say only about a fifth of necessary supplies are reaching Gaza as Israel continues an air and ground offensive in the enclave in the wake of Hamas’s attacks on Israel last October. Twelve people were reported drowned on Tuesday trying to get aid dropped by plane off a beach. [Continue reading…]