Canada takes no clear position on ICJ interim ruling in Gaza genocide case

Canada will continue to closely follow the case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Friday following an interim ruling that ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide in Gaza.

The ruling did not order a ceasefire. It also called on Hamas to release hostages taken in its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel and represents a closely watched step in a legal process that could take years to fully play out.

“Canada supports the ICJ’s critical role in the peaceful settlement of disputes and its work in upholding the international rules-based order,” Joly said in a statement. “Our support for the ICJ does not mean that we accept the premise of the case brought by South Africa. It is for the ICJ to make a final decision on the case, which it has not done today. We continue to follow the case very closely.”

Joly and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not stop to answer reporters’ questions about the ruling on Parliament Hill.

Joly’s statement, issued hours after the ruling, repeated language previously used by the federal government that its critics have called “incomprehensible” in response to the case brought by South Africa that accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

A federal government source previously told Global News the statements should not be interpreted to mean Canada is taking a definitive stance on whether it supports or dismisses South Africa’s case.

The highest court of the United Nations on Friday ordered six measures to limit casualties in the Gaza Strip and ensure the preservation of evidence as the court continues deeper probing of the allegation of genocide against the Palestinians. The final ruling