PM suggests initiating ICJ proceedings against Israel

RIYADH: (Suno News) In his address at the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar suggested that the Arab and Islamic countries should explore the possibility of initiating proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for its war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Genocide Convention and under the interim measures request.

“The UN Secretary-General can be requested to establish a special commission of inquiry to investigate Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7,” the caretaker premier said at the summit which brought together leaders from the Arab and Islamic world to discuss the current worsening situation in Gaza and the future strategy.

He further said that the Islamic countries should also demand the establishment of an international mechanism and call for a halt to illegal settlements by Israel.

“We call for a political solution for which it is imperative that conditions are created for a dialogue between the Palestinians and Israel to evolve a way forward through the two-state solution,” he reiterated.

The prime minister said that a permanent solution to the conflict was in the establishment of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine on the basis of pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its Capital and urged upon the Muslim countries to work towards that end.

“Gaza urgently needed reprieve and immediate and complete ceasefire,” he said, adding Israel must be forced to halt its indiscriminate aerial bombardments and ground invasions in compliance with the international humanitarian and human rights laws, and should ensure immediate lifting of the blockage and ensure rapid and unhindered humanitarian aid supply.

The caretaker prime minister stressed that the Israeli occupation forces were in clear violation of the international humanitarian and human rights law, and their indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.

Prime Minister Kakar underscored the urgency of bringing an end to Israel’s campaign of terror with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege of Gaza, and rapid and unhindered humanitarian and relief assistance for the people of Gaza.

“Israel as an occupying power must be reminded of its responsibility to create conditions for the urgent delivery of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza,” he stressed.

He also underlined that the root cause of the current situation was the perennial settler colonialism and denial of the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and for their right to self-determination.