Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has secured Government approval for Ireland to intervene in two cases currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), at the Cabinet's first meeting since the General Election.
Firstly, South Africa's case against Israel, initiated following the launch of military operations in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 attack.
This concerns breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Gaza.
By filing a declaration of intervention, Ireland is not joining either side in the case.
Mr Martin proposed to intervene to promote a consistent interpretation of the Genocide Convention which prioritises the protection of civilian life, and to demonstrate Ireland’s strong commitment to the rule of law and international justice.
The second is the case of The Gambia versus Myanmar.
Ireland will intervene in The Gambia’s case at the ICJ under the 1948 Genocide Convention over operations by Myanmar’s armed forces against the ethnic minority Rohingya people.
Mr Martin also sought approval to accept an invitation for Ireland to participate as a guest country in South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which runs from December 2024 to November 2025.
This is the first time Ireland has ever been invited to join the group which represents the world’s 20 largest economies.
Speaking as he arrived for the Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said that by seeking that Ireland intervene in the case taken by South Africa, fundamentally, it is asking the court to broaden its interpretation of genocide within the Genocide Convention.
He said on the issue of intent this was legally complex, "but the important point we're making here is that in broadening the interpretation, we believe it encompasses what has happened in Gaza in particular, in terms of both the intent and in terms of the impact of the horrific Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people within Gaza in particular, where 40,000 people have been killed, millions displaced."
Taoiseach Simon Harris said that a decision today at Cabinet would enable the Government to formally make a submission to the ICJ.
Additional reporting Eleanor Burnhill
