Jeremy Corbyn joins South Africa delegation accusing Israel of genocide

Jeremy Corbyn is on the United Nations’ high court docket to help claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The expelled former Labour chief has branded a landmark court docket case introduced by South Africa a “historic moment for humanity”. But No10 this morning branded the case “wrong and unjustified”.

South African legal professionals known as on judges within the Hague to order Israel to halt its army operation. In a controversial court docket motion they claimed that the newest Gaza struggle is a part of an extended marketing campaign of oppression of Palestinians by Israel. Israel vehemently denied the allegations.

Mr Corbyn, who sits as an unbiased MP, stated he had missed a vote within the Commons as he was at The Hague to “support South Africa’s case against Israel”. He wrote: “This is a historic moment for humanity, and a wake-up call for political leaders letting a genocide unfold.”

South Africa’s Justice Ministry stated he was amongst a number of “senior political figures from progressive political parties and movements across the globe” becoming a member of their delegation. Lawyers for South Africa requested judges to impose binding preliminary orders on Israel, together with an instantaneous halt to Israel’s army marketing campaign in Gaza.

South African lawyer Adila Hassim informed judges on the on the International Court of Justice (ICJ): “Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies as a plausible claim of genocidal acts.

“Nothing will cease the struggling besides an order from this court docket. Without a sign of provisional measures, the atrocities will proceed, with the Israeli Defence Force indicating that it intends pursuing this plan of action for at the very least a yr.”

In November Mr Corbyn sparked an outcry after repeatedly refusing to describe Hamas as a terrorist group during a TV interview. But days later he did use the term in an article in Tribune magazine – but said the Israeli army is guilty of “acts of terror too”.

His appearance at The Hague in the Netherlands has sparked anger. In a statement the Board of Deputies of British Jews wrote: “The South African Government’s place on the Israeli-Palestinian battle has been completely summed up by their inclusion of Jeremy Corbyn as a part of their delegation to the ICJ. Mr Corbyn notoriously as soon as described Hamas as his ‘associates’, in addition to ‘an organisation devoted in direction of the nice of the Palestinian folks and bringing about long-term peace and social justice in the entire area’. The grotesque nature of this description was absolutely obvious on the time he made it, but it surely was confirmed to the world on October seventh – aside from in South Africa, it could seem, the place Hamas officers visited Cape Town simply final month.”

On Tuesday Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated he was “fearful” Israel might have breached international law in the Middle East conflict, saying he asks questions everyday about whether more could be done to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. “Am I fearful that Israel has taken motion that is likely to be in breach of worldwide regulation, as a result of this specific premises has been bombed or no matter? Yes, in fact I’m fearful about that,” he said.

“And that is why I seek the advice of the Foreign Office legal professionals when giving this recommendation on arms exports. If you place it that method, I’m completely satisfied to say, sure, in fact, on a regular basis I take a look at what’s occurred and ask questions on: Is that is according to worldwide humanitarian regulation? Could the Israelis have accomplished higher to keep away from civilian causalities? Of course I do this.”

Ahead of the proceedings, hundreds of pro-Israeli protesters marched close to the courthouse with banners saying “Bring them residence”, referring to the hostages still held by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement: “Israel has no intention of completely occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian inhabitants. Israel is preventing Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian inhabitants, and we’re doing so in full compliance with worldwide regulation.”