Yuji Iwasawa, president of the UN’s highest court, says international law prohibits the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.

A repost from 25 October 2025

Sally Sara: Good morning. What’s your reaction to this advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice?

Chris Sidoti: Well, firstly, it’s very welcome, but secondly, it’s totally as expected. These are things that our Commission of Inquiry has been saying repeatedly over the last two years. And so for me, it’s not a surprise at all. But it is wonderful to have the highest court in the international system, the International Court of Justice, saying these things at this time.

And by that, supporting the findings and the work that we have done as a commission of inquiry.

Sara: Given that this advisory, its findings are non-binding, does it really make a difference?

Sidoti: It does make a difference. They’re non-binding certainly in a technical sense, but they are the most authoritative statement of the law that we can get from any international court in the international system. So they are important. They were requested by the General Assembly.

And under the UN Charter, it’s now up to the Security Council and the General Assembly to enforce this decision. So, although non-binding directly, indirectly they established the law for the international legal system and the international political system.

Sara: Earlier this morning, I spoke to Shoshbed Rosian, an Israeli Government spokesperson for the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She repeated allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas attacks.

So........

© Pearls and Irritations