International Court of Justice – Order of 26 January 2024

France is deeply committed to respect for international law and reaffirms its confidence in and support for the International Court of Justice.

France points out that, in its order today, the Court indicates provisional measures on the basis of Article 41 of its Statute, pending a ruling on its jurisdiction and on the merits of the case.

In this context, the Court will soon inform the parties to the Genocide Convention of the possibility open to them of submitting observations on the interpretation of the Convention. France intends to avail itself of this possibility and submit observations about its interpretation of the Convention, as it did in the Ukraine/Russia and Gambia/Myanmar cases. Among other things, it will state the importance it attaches to the Court taking into account the exceptional gravity of the crime of genocide, which requires the establishment of intent. As the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs has had the opportunity to point out, words must retain their meaning.

In the meantime, we also point out that, as the President and Minister have said, we are working towards a ceasefire and on many occasions have reiterated the importance we attach to Israel’s strict compliance with international humanitarian law, as the Court has also just done. We note that, like France, the Court is calling for the immediate, unconditional release of the hostages being held in Gaza, including three of our compatriots.

This decision by the Court increases our determination to work for such outcomes.