Andrew Wallace MP Stands Firm Against ICJ Ruling and Urges Action on Hostage Crisis
Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, has called out the International Court of Justice for their politicisation of the international legal system, and for their failure to hold terrorists and their state-based supporters to account.
“I stand in firm opposition to today’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to cease military operations in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The decision not only undermines Israel's right to self-defence, enshrined in International Law, but importantly it also fails to address the pressing issue of the 125 Israeli hostages still held captive by Hamas.
"The ICJ's ruling is a misguided and deeply troubling development," stated Wallace. "Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorist threats, yet this ruling undermines its efforts to protect its citizens and secure the release of innocent civilians held hostage by Hamas."
Wallace expressed grave concern for the hostages still held captive, emphasising the urgent need for international action to address their plight. "It is unacceptable that over 125 innocent Israelis remain in captivity, subjected to the cruelty of Hamas," he declared. "The ICJ's ruling does nothing to advance justice or alleviate the suffering of these hostages and their families, nor does it do anything to secure a lasting peace via a negotiated two-state solution."
In addition to condemning the ICJ's decision, Wallace called on the international community to prioritise efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages. "The ICJ cannot ignore the plight of the hostages or the security of 9.6 million Israelis whose very existence is threatened by Hamas who continue to pledge that they will not stop attacking Israelis until every last one of them are dead" he emphasised. "It is imperative that the international community takes decisive action to pressure Hamas to release the hostages immediately and to surrender unconditionally. Such an outcome will result in the cessation of hostilities. It is up to Hamas to end this war, not the ICJ. Let’s not forget how we got here in the first place. We got here because more than 3,000 Hamas terrorists invaded Israel from Gaza, killing 1200 Israelis, men, women and children on October 7. They raped, mutilated and tortured scores more and took more than 250 hostages. That’s how we got here. The fact that some within the International community, including its institutions such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court do not understand that or perhaps don’t want to understand that, is a tragedy for the future of the International Rules Based Order."
Wallace reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism. "Israel is a beacon of democracy and freedom in a region plagued by violence and extremism," he stated. "We must stand in solidarity with the democratic State of Israel and support its efforts to ensure the safety and security of its citizens."
He concluded by urging the international community to reject the ICJ's ruling and work together to address the ongoing hostage and security crisis. "As a Western Liberal Democracy, we cannot allow terrorism to prevail," he asserted. "It is time for the international community to unite in condemning Hamas and taking decisive action to bring an end to the suffering of the hostages and innocent Palestinian civilians and restore peace and security to the region."
