Does the World Courts Condemnation of Israel Matter?
As the World Court issued its verdict, the Israeli government rapidly mobilized its representatives in Tel Aviv and Washington to present a united front criticizing the judgment and, in the case of the Israelis, stating that the judgment will be ignored. The Israeli government is now counting on the US to veto any resolution providing for sanctions and reparations to correct the atrocities that have already taken place. We have seen a debate ensue in periodicals and on news shows as to whether the Court (formally known as the International Court of Justice) had jurisdiction to hear the case and whether the Israeli government should obey it. The real question that should be asked is how the rhetoric that is being spewed and the obstruction of legality and the “rule of law” that is supposedly recognized internationally is further destroying the institutions of international law. The answer to the question of whether Israel was in violation of almost all human rights and humanitarian law
