In a recent ruling, the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected Nicaragua's demand for Germany to immediately halt its arms exports to Israel. The court, however, did not strike down the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed, which could take years. The ICJ's president, Judge Nawaf Salam, stated that the circumstances did not require the court to exercise its power to indicate provisional measures.
Nicaragua had accused Germany of violating its obligations as a signatory of the Genocide Convention through its political, financial, and military support for Israel. Germany's lawyer, Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, welcomed the decision and described Nicaragua's allegations as "absolutely false." Germany's foreign ministry stated that it is working towards a two-state solution and is not a party to the conflict in the Middle East.
The case highlights the long-standing support of Nicaragua for the Palestinian cause, dating back to the 1970s when Israel was a key weapons supplier to the US-backed Nicaraguan regime. Nicaragua's current president, Daniel Ortega, has maintained a close relationship with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
Germany, on the other hand, is Israel's second-largest supplier of weapons after the US. German politicians have repeatedly stated that Israel's security is Germany's "raison d'être" due to its Nazi past. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas-led militants, Germany has initiated a clampdown on the militant group and has also placed curbs on pro-Palestinian voices and those critical of Israel.
The ICJ's ruling comes as the court is hearing a separate case brought against Israel by South Africa, which has accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. The court had issued an interim ruling ordering Israel to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza but stopped short of calling for Israel to suspend its military campaign.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 34,450 people killed since Israel launched its war following the October 7 terror attacks. The ICJ's rulings and the ongoing cases highlight the complexities and challenges of addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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