CUPE welcomes the historic International Court of Justice, ICJ, ruling calling on the government of Israel to take “all actions within its power” to prevent a genocide in Gaza and ensure that its officials refrain from incitement to genocide.  The ICJ is the principal court of the United Nations. It settles disputes between states, in accordance with international law.

The South African government brought the ICJ case to the UN court, accusing Israel of committing genocidal acts against the Palestinians in the Gaza strip. In its ruling, the ICJ found that there is enough evidence for the case to proceed.  The court’s initial ruling puts in place provisional measures to restrain Israel and to protect Palestinians from further violence.

CUPE is disappointed that the court stopped short of calling for the ceasefire that is so urgently needed. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, more than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza, tens of thousands injured and over a million people have been displaced. 

As a signatory to the UN Genocide Convention, Canada has an obligation and a duty to prevent and punish the crime of genocide wherever it occurs.

CUPE calls on the Canadian government to:

  • Take all necessary steps to ensure Israel’s compliance with the ICJ decision.
  • Impose an arms embargo on Israel.
  • Call for a permanent ceasefire.