The Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy has released the following statement on behalf of the Labour Party on the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) interim ruling on the situation in Gaza. I fully support the position outlined below and call on Israel to comply with the orders of this ruling in full.

“The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) interim ruling under the Genocide Convention on the situation in Gaza is a profoundly serious moment. Labour has been clear throughout the conflict that international law must be upheld, that the independence of international courts must be respected, and that all sides must be accountable for their actions. The ICJ’s interim ruling does not give a verdict on this case, but it sets out urgent provisional measures that must be followed. Israel must now comply with the orders in this ruling in full.

“The ICJ’s measures align closely with Labour’s longstanding calls for the protection of civilians, urgent humanitarian relief in Gaza and an end to extremist rhetoric. We will press for these orders to be implemented, alongside an immediate humanitarian truce and a sustainable ceasefire.

“Labour is clear that the dire situation in Gaza must not continue. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israel’s campaign, 1.7 million have been displaced and unacceptable blocks on supplies of essential aid are causing a humanitarian catastrophe. Meanwhile Hamas continues to hold hostages and fire rockets into Israel. Civilians must be protected, a humanitarian surge must be allowed into Gaza and all hostages must be released immediately.”