Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2024 to Question 8588 on Israel: Gaza, what assessment he has made of the relevance to the case brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice by the Republic of South Africa of the speech by the Israeli Prime Minister on 28 October 2023.

Our position on this is clear: Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. We do not believe that calling this genocide is the right approach. It is wrong to suggest that Israeli leadership, and Israel as a country, have the intention to commit genocide. Ultimately, it is for the courts to decide on matters of genocide, not for states. We respect the role and independence of the ICJ.