Rafah offensive: Spain warns Israel that ICJ rulings are ‘binding’

A solid reminder of Madrid. The Foreign Ministry of the Spanish government of socialist Pedro Sánchez warned Israel this Saturday that the rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are “binding” and demanded their implementation.

“The orders of the International Court of Justice, including the order to stop the Israeli offensive in Rafah, are binding. We demand their statement,” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez wrote on the social network X. “This also applies to a ceasefire, the release of hostages and access to humanitarian aid. The suffering of Gazans and the violence must end,” he added.

International pressure

The UN’s top court on Friday ordered Israel to “immediately” end its military offensive in Rafah, a decision likely to increase international pressure for a truce after more than seven months of war.

The International Court of Justice, sitting in The Hague, also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah crossing open to allow “unrestricted” access to humanitarian aid. The court also called for the immediate release of those taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel.

The decisions of the International Court of Justice, which resolves disputes between states, are legally binding, but it does not have the power to enforce them.

“Free from the river to the sea”

Spain has been one of the most critical European countries towards Israel since the start of the current conflict in the Gaza Strip. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israeli government recalled its ambassador to Madrid this week for consultations after Spain, Ireland and Norway announced on Wednesday they would recognize the State of Palestine.

Israel also announced on Friday that it had “decided to sever ties” between the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem and the Palestinians, including because of an “anti-Semitic call” from a third party in the Spanish government, Yolanda Diaz, the party’s leader. the far-left Sumar Party and the Minister of Labor. “Today we welcome the fact that Spain recognizes the State of Palestine,” but “we cannot stop there. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea,” Yolanda Diaz said on X, condemning the “genocide of the Palestinian people.”