France weighs in on provisional ICJ ruling on Gaza, stressing need for 'intent' in genocide

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — France underlined the need to establish "intent" in rulings on the commission of genocide, following a Friday order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of the crime in Gaza.

The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Paris would submit observations about its interpretation of the 1948 Genocide Convention to the top UN court, pointing out its intentions to "state the importance it attaches to the Court taking into account the exceptional gravity of the crime of genocide, which requires the establishment of intent."

Underlining the country's deep "respect for international law," the statement said "words must retain their meaning," implying that Israel may not have that intent to commit genocide in the Palestinian enclave.

The ministry also said it has been "working towards" a cease-fire in Gaza and "on many occasions have reiterated the importance we attach to Israel’s strict compliance with international humanitarian law, as the Court has also just done."

"We note that, like France, the Court is calling for the immediate, unconditional release of the hostages being held in Gaza, including three of our compatriots."

France, a traditional ally to Israel, has taken a pro-Israeli stance since the case brought to the ICJ.

Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told a parliamentary session last week, that "accusing Israel of genocide is crossing a moral threshold." He added that the "genocide notion cannot be exploited for political purposes."

The International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to take "all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ late last month and asked it to grant emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.

The court also ordered Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.