ICJ Tells Israel to Feed Gaza, Again. You Don't Say.
The ICJ's latest ruling calls on Israel to 'ensure unhindered provision' of basic services and humanitarian aid to Gaza. This follows an initial January 26th order, and a March 28th reiteration for Israel to cease impeding aid. One might wonder how many times an international court has to ask a state to stop starving people before someone considers it more than just a polite request. It's almost
as if the international legal system operates on a timeline divorced from material reality. While the ICJ issues sternly worded recommendations, aid organizations like Oxfam reported in February that Gaza's aid access was just 13% of the pre-October average. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, fresh off another $14 billion aid package to Israel included in H.R. 815 this past April, has yet to
find the political will to enforce any of these 'requests.' Truly, a marvel of performative diplomacy.