Helen McEntee would like Ireland to join South African genocide case

Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said she would like to see Ireland intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

On Friday, the UN’s top court ordered that Israel must take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in its ongoing war in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had a majority vote for urgent measures sought by South Africa, except for calls for an outright ceasefire in Gaza.

Ms McEntee, speaking on RTÉ Radio’s This Week, said that she personally would like to see Ireland now intervene in the case.

“Personally I would like us to but I am very much aware that we need to do so on a correct legal basis,” Ms McEntee said.

“I mean, what you are doing essentially is accusing another country of genocide. You need to know the facts, you need to understand what it is you are fighting this case on.” 

Ms McEntee said that while she welcomed the ruling by the ICJ last Friday, she said that she wished it had gone further and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Personally, I would have liked to have seen it gone further in terms of the ceasefire. It didn’t and I fully respect the ruling that was made.

“But we have to study this now. We can’t just jump in without understanding the facts, but Government has given a clear commitment that we will do that.” 

On Friday, after the ruling was delivered, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that he asked his officials to “urgently” prepare legal advice around joining the South African case.

Mr Martin said that the court orders are final and binding and that he expects Israel to implement the rulings.

"While the court has not called for a ceasefire, the court has ordered Israel and the IDF not to commit any acts of genocide, and importantly has ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to ensure urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance are provided in Gaza,” Mr Martin said.

"These orders are binding and the court has ordered Israel to report in one month to demonstrate compliance with its orders. It is also imperative that Israel prevents and punishes incitement to genocide."