Germany rejected Nicaragua’s declare that it was facilitating Israel’s genocide in opposition to Palestinians in Gaza by politically and militarily supporting Tel Aviv.
Addressing the U.N.’s highest court docket in The Hague, German diplomat Tania von Uslar-Gleichen argued that Nicaragua’s case in opposition to Germany has taken a “one-sided” view of the battle.
“It fails to correctly recognize each the information and the legislation on this scenario. Germany firmly rejects Nicaragua’s accusations,” she mentioned, and claimed that Berlin is performing in step with worldwide legislation whereas helping Israel.
Presenting her nation’s protection earlier than the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Uslar-Gleichen argued that Berlin’s arms exports to Israel had been applicable and delivered after detailed scrutiny.
“Germany only supplies arms on the basis of detailed scrutiny, the scrutiny that not only respects but far exceeds the requirements of international law,” she said, adding that Berlin is taking into account “safety threats confronted by Israel” whereas approving weapons exports.
Berlin permitted €326.5 million ($354 million) value of weapons exports to Israel in 2023, the vast majority of which had been permitted after Oct. 7 – a tenfold improve in comparison with 2022.
During the listening to on the ICJ, Germany’s authorized crew tried to influence the court docket that Berlin has not breached worldwide legislation by its help to Israel and that it’s fulfilling its humanitarian obligations.
Legal skilled Christian Tams dismissed Nicaragua’s declare that by reducing off the funds to the U.N. Palestine refugee company (UNRWA), Germany is popping its again on Palestinian victims, and facilitating the cover-up of atrocities dedicated by Israel.
“Germany has not defunded UNRWA. It took a short lived determination to not approve additional funds to UNRWA operations in Gaza,” he instructed the court docket, arguing that Germany stays one of many largest donors of humanitarian help to Palestinians in occupied territories.
He additionally tried to downplay the importance of Germany’s army help to Israel, claiming that a big portion of latest deliveries weren’t conflict weapons however protection programs or ammunition for coaching functions, which weren’t appropriate for fight operations.
Tams confirmed that a few of Israel’s requests had been at the moment beneath assessment by German authorities, similar to 120-mm precision ammunition for the Israeli military.
“We have verified this with the German ministry yesterday. Based on the knowledge I obtained, I can affirm that Israel approached the German authorities in 2023 for tank ammunition, this utility is being scrutinized, no license has been permitted,” he instructed the court docket.
Nicaragua initiated proceedings in opposition to Germany on the ICJ, accusing Berlin of facilitating “genocide” in Gaza by offering political and army help to Israel.
During a listening to on Monday, Nicaragua requested the court docket situation emergency measures for Germany to cease its arms exports to Israel, and reverse its determination to droop funding for UNRWA.
After the German delegation concluded its arguments Tuesday, choose Nawaf Salam ended the two-day listening to, and mentioned the court docket will quickly announce its determination on Nicaragua’s request for emergency measures.
“The court docket will render its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures as quickly as attainable. The date on which this order will likely be delivered at a public sitting of the court docket will likely be duly communicated to the events,” he mentioned.
Germany stays one of many strongest supporters of Israel’s army offensive in Gaza, regardless of rising public strain. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly mentioned Germany bears particular accountability for Israel due to its Nazi historical past.
Israel has waged a army offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border assault led by Hamas wherein almost 1,200 Israelis had been killed.
Over 33,200 Palestinians, principally girls and youngsters, have since been killed in Gaza, and almost 76,000 injured in addition to inflicting mass destruction, displacement and struggling.
Israel has additionally imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its inhabitants, significantly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of hunger.
Source: www.dailysabah.com