Ottawa Says It Doesn’t Support ‘Premise’ of Genocide Accusation Against Israel

The Liberal government says it has “unwavering” support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) but that doesn’t mean it accepts the premise of South Africa’s genocide accusation against Israel. On Jan. 11, South Africa initiated a proceeding at the U.N.’s highest court, the ICJ, contending that Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the blockade against the Palestinian residents there possess characteristics of genocide. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly issued a statement Jan. 12 concerning the government’s official position on South Africa’s charges. “Canada’s unwavering support for international law and the ICJ does not mean we accept the premise of the case brought by South Africa,” she said....