Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke to the foreign press on Monday, addressing the hearing that began earlier in the day at the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s obligations to facilitate aid to the Gaza Strip via international organizations, including the UN and UNWRA. Israel is facing claims that it violated international law by refusing to allow aid into the Gaza Strip until Hamas returns all the hostages. After Israel passed a series of laws last year banning the UNWRA from the country, the UN General Assembly requested that the ICJ issue an “advisory opinion” on Israel’s obligations regarding aid. Legal representatives of over 40 countries and international organizations are scheduled to argue against Israel before a full panel of 15 judges at a week of hearings. “At this very moment, the International Court of Justice is beginning deliberations in another shameful proceeding against Israel,” Sa’ar began. “This time, its ‘advisory opinion’  is sought regarding the matter of UNRWA, an organization infiltrated beyond repair by terrorism. Israel decided not to take part in this circus.” “It is another attempt to politicize and abuse the legal process to persecute Israel. The goal is to deprive Israel of its most basic right to defend itself. It is not Israel that should be on trial,” Sa’ar asserted: “It is the UN and UNRWA.” “The UN has become a rotten, anti-Israel, and antisemitic body. Clear evidence shows that under the UN and its Secretary-General, UNRWA employed terrorists who took an active part in the October 7th massacre. He then covered it up.” “This case is part of a systematic persecution and delegitimization of Israel. It is abusing the international legal system and politicizes it. No country—democracy or non-democracy—has been brought before the court as much, and as often, as Israel. No country is subject to such double standards. “Israel is a democratic country with a strong commitment to the rule of law, including international law. It has an independent judiciary and a robust military justice system. Its Attorney General is a participant in security cabinet meetings. Yet this is the fourth proceeding relating to Israel in the Court since the October 7th massacre!” “First, they used the court to spread the blood libel against Israel – that Israel is committing genocide. Second, they used the court to try to prevent Israel from obtaining the arms it needs to defend itself. Third, they tried to deny Israel’s historic right to its ancient land. They tried to determine that what they call an ‘occupation’ in our homeland is illegal. And now, they are abusing the court, once again, to try and force Israel to cooperate with an organization that is infested with Hamas terrorists.” “And it won’t happen! What do these have in common? An attempt to deny Israel its basic rights. Rights that every sovereign country has. Above all, the right to defend itself. On top of that, add the ICC’s outrageous arrest warrants against Israel’s democratically elected Prime Minister and former Minister of Defense.” “The appeal decision last week proved that those baseless warrants were issued hastily. The court has no jurisdiction over Israel. Israel is not a member of the ICC or party to the Rome Statute. The warrants were issued unlawfully. They are null and void. The legal campaign against Israel is […]