Media release | Saturday, 27 January 2024
The Australian Council For International Development welcomes today's interim ruling by the International Court of Justice on the Gaza war.
"ACFID urges Australia to amplify global calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to stop the bloodshed," ACFID CEO Marc Purcell said.
"The humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond dire. Palestinians trapped in the enclave without food, water, medicine or shelter are in desperate need of lifesaving aid now.
"The aid and humanitarian sector has been working tirelessly to help Palestinians in Gaza, most of whom are displaced. But aid is not able to enter Gaza at the necessary scale and pace, and is not able to move freely around the region, meaning that many people miss out.
"In more than 100 days of war, the world has witnessed the death of over 25,000 Palestinians in Gaza and 65,000 injured, as well as 1.7 million internally displaced, and the collapse of healthcare, education and welfare systems. Many more thousands of people are missing under rubble."
The International Court of Justice today ruled in favour of emergency measures to stop the war in Gaza. It is still considering whether Israel is committing genocide, in the case brought by South Africa.
"We urge the Australian Government to work with all parties to enforce this provisional measure by the court so that unimpeded humanitarian assistance can finally reach Gaza," Mr Purcell said.
"In line with its own obligations under the Genocide Convention, we encourage Australia to immediately end the transfer of weapons and arms to the state of Israel and use its voice to amplify global calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza."
In its ruling, the International Court of Justice said: "The court is also of the view that Israel must take all measures within its powers to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.
"The court further considers that Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
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