Nine countries launch legal action against Israel over Gaza war
The International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands
The New Arab reports on 31 January 2025:
Delegations from nine countries gathered in The Hague on Friday unveiled “co-ordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic measures” aimed at holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law, amid mounting threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In response to pressure from the US Congress, which has sought to sanction the ICC, nine countries—Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Malaysia—are forming a coalition known as The Hague Group to defend the legitimacy of international legal institutions and their rulings.
This initiative comes as both the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) face significant challenges to their authority in cases relating to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
“The Hague Group is born of necessity,” said Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, a coordinator with the political organisation Progressive International, ahead of Friday’s inauguration. “In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality, and human rights,” she added.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: “Israel’s violations go beyond the mass murder and persecution of Palestinians. They strike at the very foundations of international law, which the global community had a duty to defend.”
The Hague Group nations convened in the Netherlands, home of the ICC, where state representatives discussed collective action at both national and international levels, supporting international law and Palestinian rights during the ongoing crisis.