National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, fellow members of Knesset, and Jewish organizations around the world expressed their shock and disappointment following the ICJ's ruling on Friday, demanding the IDF halt all operations in Rafah.
Israeli reactions
In response to these rulings, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "The irrelevant order of the antisemitic court in The Hague should have only one answer: the occupation of Rafah, the increase of military pressure and the complete destruction of Hamas - until the complete victory in the war is achieved."
Strategic affairs Minister, Ron Dermer, said, "That Jews are treated differently is not a new story but a more than 2,000 year old story that is based on ancient hatred. Every year, the Human Rights Council passes more resolutions against Israel than all the other countries in the world combined."
"What the ICJ prosecutor has done will fuel the fires of antisemitism, which is raging across the world, because people will assume the charges carry weight. But the charges are totally false and the prosecutor didn’t even bother to learn the facts," Dermer stated.
Dr. Charles Asher Small, Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), issued the following statement in response to the ICJ ruling: "The ICJ's ruling is a stark reminder of how South Africa, which has become a hub for extremist activities across the African continent, continues to embrace antisemitic ideologies and support state-sponsored terror."
Small continued to say, "Maintaining close ties with and acting on behalf of Iran, Qatar and Hamas, South Africa has become a leading voice for terror. By bringing this case against Israel and in favour of Hamas, South Africa further positions itself as a bad actor on the global stage. The time has come for the international community to recognize and address South Africa's alarming connections with terror-supporting states and entities."
Former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Hamas is holding 125 hostages, presumably many in Rafah. The ICJ has just told Israel it’s not allowed to try to save them and must relinquish military leverage. This is not justice. This is a travesty of justice."
Hamas is holding 125 hostages, presumably many in Rafah. The ICJ has just told Israel it’s not allowed to try to save them and must relinquish military leverage. This is not justice. This is a travesty of justice.
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) May 24, 2024
International reactions
Senator Lindsey Graham also responded to the ICJ's ruling in a post on X, stating that "as far as [he is] concerned, the ICJ can go to hell."
Graham further added that "so-called international justice organizations" need to be opposed and that "their anti-Israel bias is overwhelming." He further called the ICJ's ruling "ridiculous," stating that the ruling "will and should be ignored by Israel."
As far as I’m concerned, the ICJ can go to hell.It is long past time to stand up to these so-called international justice organizations associated with the UN. Their anti-Israel bias is overwhelming.The ICJ’s ruling that Israel should stop operations that are necessary to…
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 24, 2024
Another politician from the US who responded on X to the ICJ's ruling was House Majority leader Steve Scalise. In his post, Scalise said that Israel's objective is to free the remainig hostages, and "destroy Hamas’ last stronghold. [Israel] must complete this mission."
Scalise further stated, "The ICJ is blinded by anti-Israel bias. Biden must commit to vetoing any UN Security Council resolution that would enforce this outrageous decision."
Britain's National Jewish Assembly condemned the ICJ's decision "vehemently," arguing that the decision was "born out of ignorance and devoid of any practical enforcement mechanism, only serves to embolden terrorist organisations and undermine the principles of international law and justice."Our ally Israel is fighting in Rafah to free the hostages and destroy Hamas’ last stronghold. They must complete this mission. The ICJ is blinded by anti-Israel bias. Biden must commit to vetoing any UN Security Council resolution that would enforce this outrageous decision.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) May 24, 2024
“The ICJ’s ruling is not only a grave misstep but a direct affront to justice and morality,” said Gary Mond, Chairman of the NJA. “By undermining Israel’s right to defend its citizens against a genocidal terrorist organisation, the ICJ is not promoting peace but rather denying Israel’s ability to defend its people and territory. This decision must be condemned by all who value truth and justice.”
The NJA further charged that the "ICJ’s ruling exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza" as "[h]alting military operations against Hamas will not lead to peace but will prolong the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.
"The true path to alleviating the humanitarian disaster in Gaza lies in dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure of terror and allowing genuine humanitarian aid to reach those in need without interference from terrorist activities."
What did the ICJ rule?
The ICJ voted that Israel must immediately “halt its military offensive and any other action in the Rafah [area] which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza. Conditions of life that would bring about its physical dysfunction, in whole or in part in favor,” Salam stated.
The court also stressed that Israel must ensure that the Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza remains open at a “scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
Israel must also, “ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza strip of any commission of inquiry. fact-finding mission or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide.