The Liberal caucus in Canada is divided over whether the country should support South Africa’s bid to have Israel prosecuted for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the Gaza Strip. Ottawa has yet to express its position on this matter and has not indicated whether it will take a stance on the issue currently before the UN court.
The ICJ is scheduled to hear arguments on January 11 and 12 regarding Israel’s conduct during its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. South Africa has accused Israel of genocide, in response to which Israeli Defense Forces have conducted attacks on the enclave. This has led to substantial casualties and kidnapping, sparking debate within the Liberal caucus.
The Liberal government previously refrained from calling for a ceasefire and changed its stance on December 12, finally calling for a ceasefire and supporting a UN resolution to that effect. This reversal has sparked criticism from some Liberal MPs.
Liberal MPs Anthony Housefather and Marco Mendicino criticized the government’s position, describing South Africa’s claim at the ICJ as “baseless and unconscionable.” On the other hand, Liberal MP Salma Zahid is supporting South Africa’s application at the ICJ and asking Canada to do the same, citing concern for the humanitarian crisis and the suffering experienced by innocent Palestinians.
South African High Commissioner to Canada Rieaz Shaik believes that taking Israel to the ICJ is the most immediate path to peace, while the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the procedure an act of hypocrisy.
The U.S. has vocally opposed South Africa’s claim, with its Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, calling it “meritless.” As a result of these discussions and debates, Canada’s stance on the matter remains unclear.