Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of levels of international support for South Africa's referral of Israel to the International Court of Justice.

This development is unhelpful and we do not support it. As we have said previously, we recognise that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, in accordance with IHL. Ultimately, it is for courts to decide on matters of genocide, not for states. We of course respect the role and independence of the ICJ.