The UN's International Court of Justice, The Hague
Newsletter - January 2024 * Response to the ICJ Decision * Webinar Recording on Israel’s Genocide * March with ICAHD UK on 3^rd February * Know What to Boycott * Archive of Bulletins & Newsletters * Pressure on the Archbishop * Dates for Your Diary
Response to the ICJ Decision Photo: Nathaniel St. Claire - Counterpunch
ICAHD and its chapters in the US, Germany, Finland and the UK have all applauded the International Court of Justice’s acceptance of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel given on 26^th January at The Hague, along with the provisional measures that were identified. There is much agreement on this strong and important ruling as we move forward in the struggle for Palestinian rights. However, areas of divergence are also evident, especially because the ICJ did not call for an immediate ceasefire. Some amongst us see the ruling as a victory within international law but with Israel’s war on Gaza continuing with hundreds continuing to be killed daily and with the humanitarian disaster spiralling out of control, are there weaknesses in the ruling? It is still the responsibility of civil society to pressurise our governments to call for an immediate ceasefire.
Read Jeff Halper’s assessment which has been published in Counterpunch.
The very proceedings of the trial will have an immense effect on what is actually the World Court, the Court of Public Opinion, lending legal, political and moral backing to the struggle for Palestinian rights and an end to Israeli genocide and apartheid. It could also further the prosecution of Israeli officials and military personnel for war crimes at the International Criminal Court as well as begin holding accountable accomplices to Israel’s crimes. If Israel is eventually convicted of genocide, countries having supported its policies or arming it could be tried for complicity under the Genocide Convention. On the local level, cases such as Defense for Children International-Palestine et al v. Biden et al, in which President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense are being sued in a California District Court for “failure to preventand complicity in the unfolding genocide against Gaza,” may have a much better chance of success.
Read the full article here Join ICAHD UK now (https://icahd.org/join-us/ ) and be part of an organisation on the cutting edge in bringing political change to Palestine / Israel. ICAHD UK Webinar
Israel Before the ICJ - Is International Law Relevant?
In preparation for the decision from the International Court of Justice, following South Africia’s submission accusing Israel of committing genocide amid its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, ICAHD UK provided a webinar on Wednesday, 24^th January 2024.
The central question revolved around whether international law is still relevant. Palestinians have suffered at the hands of the international community who have allowed Israel to continue to act with impunity in it many violations of international law without it ever being brought to account.
Sahar Francis, human rights lawyer and General Director of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, was the first to speak and she was followed by Jeff Halper, Director of ICAHD, who spoke from Jerusalem. Robert Herbst, the Co-Chair of ICAHD USA and human rights attorney.
The speakers discussed the nature of these proceedings, its jurisdiction and possible outcomes and then took questions from the audience.
ICAHD UK will again assemble with the Jewish bloc which on 13^th January attracted 3000 people to illustrate that not all Jews support the Israeli government and the Zionist agenda. Details of our meeting point will be posted to the ICAHD website once available. We invite our supporters to march with us and help distribute our latest flyer.
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), is the largest coalition in Palestinian society that is leading the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. It uses the historically successful method of targeted boycotts inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the US Civil Rights movement, the Indian anti-colonial struggle, among others worldwide in mobilizing civil society to help end all state, corporate and institutional complicity with Israel’s genocidal regime. Visit its website for more information, to start boycotting and get your friends involved
We are now supporting another initiative taken by our colleagues in CAMPAIN with its formation of the ‘Lambeth Witness Group’ and a series of short weekly demos demanding that the Archbishop denounce the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
CAMPAIN says that Archbishop Welby has shown support for Israel while claiming neutrality. Notably, he has failed to call out the long-term Zionist project that lies behind the mass destruction of Gaza since October 7th. Worse, he has contributed to the misrepresentation of critics of Israel as antisemitic. By so doing, he has provided moral cover to politicians who have given unequivocal support to Israel. This is no way for the head of the established church to behave.
The core group includes two retired senior CofE clerics and four former Ecumenical Accompaniers (human rights monitors who worked in Palestine). Other groups represented will be the Islamic Human Rights Commission and the Convivencia Alliance. Individuals who wish to pressurize the Archbishop are welcome to attend the demonstrations. Dates for Your Diary Saturday 3^rd February 2024 – National Demonstration – London – details above.
Tuesday, 6^th February 2024 – Demonstration – Westminster Abbey – 5-6 pm – details above.
Wednesday 21 February 2024 – ICAHD UK Webinar - 6.00-7.30pm (UK time). This webinar will focus on the importance of speaking about Palestinian mental health when Israel seeks to debilitate the whole of Palestinian society. Those presenting will be mental health professionals living and working in the West Bank and Gaza. Martin Kemp and Gwyn Daniels from the UK Palestine Mental Health Network will talk about its advocacy work and support for their Palestinian colleagues. Further details to follow. Register for this webinar via this link .
6 – 16 May – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel.
Saturday 19 October 2024 – ICAHD UK Annual Conference - from 10.00am to 4.00pm (times TBC). Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP. Details to be announced but note the date in your diary.
4 – 14 November – ICAHD Recommended Study Tour to Palestine/Israel. Many thanks for your ongong support. If you're not already a member of ICAHD UK, please join usor make a donation to enable our campaign to spread at this critical time in history.
From all at ICAHD UK. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Israeli-Committee-Against-House-Demolitions-UK/366423593418140 Facebook https://www.twitter.com/ICAHDUK/ Twitter http://icahduk.org Website mailto:info@icahduk.org Email
The ICJ’s Ruling on “Plausible Genocide” in Gaza: an Incomplete Victory
Any evaluation of the International Court of Justice’s rulings of January 26^th must begin by applauding its determinations (1) that Israel’s military actions in Gaza fall within the provisions of the Genocide Convention; (2) that the Palestinians are indeed a distinct group facing the crime of genocide, and (3) that South Africa’s claim of Israeli engagement in “plausible genocide” is valid, meaning that the Court will begin trying Israel for genocide. That is a process that will take several years but is hugely important.
Watch a recording of the webinar here
Read moreMarch with ICAHD UK
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, our government has gone out of its way in support of Israel, ignoring the voices of civil society calling for a ceasefire. Following the ICJ session on 26^th January with the Court announcing that it has accepted South Africa’s case to investigate Israel’s intention to commit genocide in Gaza, the pressure on the UK government must step up. Only by there being an immediate and permanent ceasefire will Israel’s genocidal intensions end in Gaza. In addition, our Government must reinstate its funding to UNWRA. So, let us fill the streets in our hundreds of thousands – even millions - at the national demonstration in London on Saturday, 3^rd February. Let the government know that we will not be silent until Britian stops it hypocrisy and plays its part by fulfilling its role as a signatory of the Geneva Convention.
Know What to Boycott
Boycotts are a way to intensify civil society pressure on companies that support Israel’s settler colonialism, apartheid and genocidal policies. They are also a way to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians.
New Archive Created
Past mailings of the ICAHD UK Newsletter and Bulletin and 'The Report' by ICAHD USA have been archived so that those who have missed our communications or who would like to return to them for reference can now find them on the ICAHD website. These rich sources of information are found in two sections – under 'Who We Are' and 'Resources and Analysis'.
Visit the archive here
Pressure on the Archbishop of Canterbury
Read moreDemonstration at Westminster Abbey
Tuesdays beginning 6^th February 5 – 6 pm Mobilization to call the Archbishop of Canterbury to account has been growing, especially since ICAHD UK’s Director asked the Archbishop about his position on Israeli Apartheid (https://icahd.org/2023/09/08/icahd-uks-director-confronts-the-archbishop-of-canterbury/) .