Commenting on today’s decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on South Africa’s claim of genocide against Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his “sacred commitment” to continue to defend his country and his people.
“Israel’s commitment to international law is unwavering. So is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people,” Netanyahu said in a televised address after the ICJ ordered Israel to take “all measures in its power” to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, where Tel Aviv killed more than 26,000 people and reduced the enclave to rubble.
Netanyahu said Israel has an “inherent right to defend itself,” adding that “the vile attempt to deny Israel this basic right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and is rightly rejected.”
He said the genocide charge against Israel was “false” and “outrageous”, reiterating that “Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas”.
He said the war, which began after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, was against the group and not against Palestinian civilians.
“We will continue to provide humanitarian aid and do everything in our power to keep civilians out of harm’s way, even as Hamas uses them as human shields,” Netanyahu said, adding:
“We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and our people.”
