The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Belgium formally joining the case launched by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ICJ – The Hague-based highest court of the United Nations – said Belgium had filed a declaration of intervention in the case. Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkey, have previously joined the case.
Israeli forces slaughtered more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza. It is likely the true death toll is much higher. Israel also destroyed most of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and forcibly-displaced almost its entire population while waging a campaign of forced starvation.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We commend the Belgian government for joining this effort to bring the genocidal Israeli leadership to justice for their atrocities. Our own government should also add its voice in support of this important case defending international standards of human rights.”
He noted that CAIR previously welcomed other countries joining the ICJ case.
SEE: CAIR Commends Belize for Seeking to Join South Africa’s ICJ Case Against Israel’s Genocide in Gaza
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com