Spain calls for EU member states to ensure Israel respects World Court rulings on Gaza war

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says that he will ask the other 26 European Union member states to issue official backing to the International Court of Justice and take steps to ensure Israel respects its decisions.

“I am going to ask the other 26 partners to declare the backing of the International Court of Justice and its decision, and also, if Israel continues to pursue against that opinion of the Court, we would try to take the right measures to enforce that decision,” he tells reporters in Brussels during a joint news conference with his Irish and Norwegian counterparts.

Following the press conference, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says that the World Court ruling is “binding” and that it must be respected.

“No Israeli hostage will be freed if more people now have to shelter in tents,” Baerbock says, referring to Gaza’s displaced population, as well as Israel’s ongoing efforts to free the hostages held by Hamas.

“International humanitarian law applies for all, also for Israel’s conduct of the war,” she adds.