'Israel is guilty of genocide' says councillor ahead of Waterside march

A Derry councillor has urged the Irish government to back South Africa's case against Israel at the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ), formally accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

It could take years for the court to reach a final judgement but South Africa is pursuing an emergency order against the continuing killings and destruction in Gaza and an interim sentence could be reached in weeks.

"Israel is guilty of genocide," Councillor Shaun Harkin said. "The presentations by representatives for the South African government at the International Court of Justice in The Hague documented the genocidal words and deeds of the apartheid state's political and military leaders."

South Africa's case against Israel focuses on five main 'genocidal acts'. These are the mass killings of Palestinians, bodily and mental harm, forced displacement and food blockade, destruction of the healthcare system and preventing Palestinian births.

"The destruction of Gaza, the murder of tens of thousands of Palestinians and the displacement of millions of people in the Strip is the outworking of Israel's settler colonial project," the People Before Profit councilor continued.

"Israel has used terror to drive Palestinians from their homes - and is using terror now to drive Palestinians out of Gaza. 

"Israel must be held accountable for its barbaric actions in Gaza. 

"We call upon the Irish government to back South Africa's case to the ICJ.

"The British government took another step this week towards ramming through legislation designed to prohibit the peaceful non-violent Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel and corporations complicit in its war on Palestinians. 

"No matter what regressive legislation the British government puts through, people in Derry will back the struggle of Palestinians for freedom and will campaign to implement BDS. 

"We urge people in Derry and the North West to join the march and rally for Palestine on Saturday January 13 assembling noon at the Waterside Train Station. 

"From Derry to Dublin to Washington DC, this will one of the biggest global days of action for Palestine in history.

"Up to a million protestors are expected to march to Freedom Plaza in Washington DC calling on Joe Biden to end US support for Israel's terror in Gaza by supporting an immediate ceasefire. 

"When we march in Derry, we are are marching for Palestine but for ourselves too. We don't want a world where what's happening in Gaza is condoned and justified. A new Ireland has to stand for a world opposed to apartheid and imperialism."

Israel has disputed South Africa's Claims in the ICJ and said the country 'ignored' the events of October 7 and that Israel had the right to defend itself.