Israel slams International Court of Justice as "antisemitic" As well as refuses to join Gaza aid hearings

Israel has sharply criticised the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of “antisemitism” and announcing it would not participate in hearings regarding its responsibility to facilitate humanitarian aid to Palestinians in occupied territories.

"UN has become a rotten, anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic body," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated. He also denounced the proceedings, saying, "At this very moment, the International Court of Justice is beginning deliberations in another shameful proceeding against Israel", Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

The ICJ in The Hague began public hearings on April 28 to review Israel’s legal obligations concerning its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. During the session, the UN reported that no humanitarian or commercial goods had been allowed into Gaza since March 2, warning of "devastating humanitarian consequences" for civilians in the region.

Since March 2, Israel has maintained a closure of Gaza’s border crossings, blocking the entry of essential aid, according to data from governments, human rights organisations, and international agencies. In October 2024, Israel’s Knesset passed two laws targeting the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), banning its operations within Israeli territory and occupied areas, and barring Israeli authorities from engaging with the agency. These laws took effect on January 30. 

Israel claims that some UNRWA staff were involved in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack—a charge the agency has firmly denied. UNRWA, founded in 1949, provides vital assistance to nearly 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Hostilities resumed on March 18 as Israel re-launched its offensive in Gaza, ending a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement that had been in place since January 19. Since October 2023, more than 52,200 Palestinians—mainly women and children—have been killed, according to local health authorities.

By Naila Huseynova