From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 12, 2024
Shaw: South Africa cherry-picked comments by Israeli politicians
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Malcolm Shaw turns to the critical issue of intent in the genocide charges made by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice.
He says that South Africa presented a “distorted picture” of comments made by Israeli politicians on the war in order to establish genocidal intent by Israel, and points out that only the policy decisions by the small Israeli war cabinet and the broader security cabinet are relevant in determining Israeli policy in the war in Gaza.
“To produce random quotes which are not in conformity with government policy is misleading at best,” says Shaw.
He cites by way of example a security cabinet meeting of October 29 when “the prime minister states time and again that ‘we must prevent a humanitarian disaster’ and the prime minister indicates possible solutions for the supply of water, food and medicine, and increasing the supply of [humanitarian aid] trucks” into Gaza.
Shaw also cites IDF directives in effect since October 7, in one of which, he says “‘Attacks will be solely directed at military targets while adhering to the principles of distinction, proportionality, taking precautions in attacks to reduce collateral damage’ — this is a directive that binds all IDF forces.”
He also cites numerous comments by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declaring that the goal of the war is to destroy Hamas and it does not target the Palestinian people.
