The conflict in Gaza has been on our screens, in our news and conversations for many weeks now, with many debates surrounding the events and faults of the conflicts. The many protests, such as outside the Cardiff University Student Union on the 7th of February, are constantly reminding us of the suffering and conflict which has tragically occurred. Many are calling for a ceasefire, hoping to end the horrific conflicts and genocides occurring in the region.
This has been escalated by South Africa, in which they have asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to consider whether Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Within the large document of evidence submitted to the ICJ, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation issued a statement warning that “the crime of genocide, sadly looms large” in Gaza. The South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has also addressed the United National Security Council on the 24th of October 2023, reminding “the international community not to stand idle while another genocide is unfolding”.
As highlighted by the report, the assault on Gaza has been described as one of the “heaviest conventional bombing campaigns”, with the deaths of ‘at least 21,110 Palestinians in Gaza [...] and over 55,243 other Palestinians have been wounded, many severely. The death toll includes over 7,729 children”. Whilst this report and argument is generally supported, a final verdict could take multiple years to be ruled.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said “It is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas” and that “It [Hamas] would murder all of us if it could” in reference to the October 7th attacks in Israel. South Africa has submitted this report to the International Court of Justice, inspired by their long solidarity to the Palestinian cause, which they’ve long argued can be seen to parallel their struggle against the apartheid. Whilst many hope this report is a big step in the direction towards a ceasefire in the region, there are still many steps that we as the public can take.
Alongside attending protests and helping inform the public around the atrocities in Gaza, there are also calls to communicate with your MP. The UNA-UK has great resources on how to write to your MP to help call for a ceasefire. In a demand for an “immediate ceasefire” called for by the Scottish National Party’s King Speech amendment, over 294 MPs voted against.
Instead, they claim that the call for a break would be more appropriate. However, some MPs did vote for this ceasefire. The majority of these were Labour MPs, who went directly against Starmer’s instructions to abstain from the vote, and MPs from the Scottish National Party.
The lists of MPs are easily accessible to check if your MP did vote, with Cardiff Central’s (which includes Cathays) MPs, Jo Stevens choosing to abstain from the vote.