Key Points
- The International Court of Justice ruled overnight that Israel must take measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government respects the court's "critical role" in upholding international law.
- Greens leader Adam Bandt said the "implications" of the ICJ's ruling were clear.
The prime minister and foreign minister have responded to the International Court of Justice's ruling that Israel must take measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.
Multiple Australian-based humanitarian organisations have welcomed the interim ruling as the Greens called on the Albanese government to impose sanctions on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet.
Overnight, the United Nations International Court of Justice ruled Israel must prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians caught in the conflict.
It stopped short of ordering a ceasefire and called for Palestinian armed groups to release hostages captured in the 7 October attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia was not a party to the ICJ case, which .
"We've made very clear our position, which is that every human life matters, whether it be Israeli or Palestinian," he told reporters on Saturday.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia respected the independence of the ICJ and "the critical role it plays in upholding international law".
The spokesperson noted the ICJ's decisions "are binding on the parties to a case".
"Australia's position has been clear and consistent throughout this crisis. We have consistently urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, advocated for humanitarian access, and called for civilians to be protected and hostages released," the spokesperson said
Penny Wong said the government's respects the World Court's "critical role" in upholding international law. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
But Greens leader Adam Bandt called on governments around the world to take action, including Australia.
"The implications of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) landmark ruling are clear: the invasion of Gaza must stop, the occupation of Palestine must end and the serious risk of genocide must be prevented," he said.
Bandt said the ICJ's ruling meant Labor must "stop backing" Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, and "pressure the Israeli government" to "end the occupation".
The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must do everything in its power to prevent genocidal acts being committed in Gaza. Source: Getty / Michel Porro
Israel's attacks started after an assault on southern Israel by Hamas in which 1,200 people were killed and over 240 taken hostage.
The war between Hamas and Israel is the latest escalation in a long-standing conflict.
Hamas is a Palestinian political and military group, which has governed the Gaza Strip since the most recent elections in 2006.
Hamas' stated aim is to establish a Palestinian state and stop the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, illegal under international law.
Hamas in its entirety is listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and seven other countries, including Australia.
In 2021 the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories dating back to 2014, including the recent attacks of both Israel and Hamas.
