Former PM Calls For Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza

The former prime ministers of Belize, alongside several past foreign ministers have spoken up in defense of Palestine. In a statement released earlier today, the former ministers expressed approval over The Republic of South Africa’s charge of genocide presented to the International Court of Justice against Israel, maintaining that the action fulfills their obligation under the Genocide Convention. The statement went on to voice their disappointment with the I.C.J.’s decision to withhold an order of ceasefire, but acknowledged that the Court ordered Israel to, “take all measures within its power to prevent killing or causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group and to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza”. The former ministers reiterated a stance made by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations that the only practical way for Israel to comply with these orders is with an immediate ceasefire. The statement then pleads for Belizeans who are in opposition of the government support of Palestine through the suspension of the diplomatic ties to Israel, to reconsider and join the call for a ceasefire. The statements then shared data from a UN report which states that Palestinians are on the verge of an imminent famine and have been without access to water and electivity for twelve weeks. The former ministers maintain that Israel’s intent is aligned with a total genocide and they are of the belief that Israel has no plans to comply with the court order to provide a report within a month as evidence of the country’s compliance with the court’s order. The statement concluded by endorsing Belizean government’s compliance with the Genocide Convention urged it to join South Africa in the substantive case against Israel for the crime of genocide.