1942 - 2024

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
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News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish 
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.

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Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

 
 
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer 
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Michael J. Eizelman 
 Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel, 
 Mark Zausmer
 
 
 Executive Director:
 Marni Raitt 
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
 Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
 Arthur Horwitz
 Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 

 Editorial 
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Contributing Writers:
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Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen, 
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Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman, 
Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, 
Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, 
Alan Muskovitz, Karen Schwartz, 
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6 | FEBRUARY 8 • 2024 J
N

statement
The International Court of Justice 
Rejected the Attempt to Deny 
Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

PURELY COMMENTARY

T

he charge of genocide 
leveled against Israel at 
the International Court 
of Justice is false and outra-
geous. It constitutes a shameful 
exploitation of 
the Genocide 
Convention that 
is not only whol-
ly unfounded in 
fact and law, but 
morally repug-
nant. 
As the Court 
recognized, on Oct. 7, Hamas 
and other terrorist groups com-
mitted unspeakable atrocities 
against Israel and its citizens. 
Like every country, Israel has 
an inherent and inalienable 
right to defend itself against 

the terrorist onslaught it still 
faces. The vile attempt by 
South Africa to deny Israel this 
fundamental right was justly 
rejected. 
The Court has repeatedly 
made clear that its decision 
does not determine whether 
South Africa’s claims have any 
merit or the Court’s jurisdiction 
in this matter. 
Israel remains committed, 
as it has repeatedly affirmed 
and demonstrated, to acting 
in accordance with its rights 
and obligations under interna-
tional law, including interna-
tional humanitarian law. This 
commitment is unwavering, 
independent of any ICJ pro-
ceedings. 

Israel welcomes the Court’s 
clear demand for the immedi-
ate and unconditional release of 
all the hostages held in Gaza. 
Israel’s war is against Hamas, 
not against Palestinian civilians. 
Israel will continue to facilitate 
humanitarian assistance and 
to do its utmost according to 
the law to keep civilians out of 
harm’s way, even as Hamas uses 
them as human shields. 
South Africa’s baseless 
accusations, and its attempt 
to empty the word genocide 
of its unique force and special 
meaning, have been widely 
denounced by numerous states 
known for their commitment 
to the rule of law. Israel is 
confident that the Court will 

likewise reject these unfounded 
claims at the merits phase of 
proceedings. 
Israel calls on all those gen-
uinely committed to the sol-
emn promise of “never again” 
enshrined in the Genocide 
Convention, to reject the 
unconscionable efforts to dis-
tort the truth in support of a 
genocidal terrorist organiza-
tion. Hamas, and its sponsor 
in Tehran, seek to deny both 
Israelis and Palestinians the 
ability to achieve a peaceful 
future. South Africa should be 
denounced for being their will-
ing accomplice. 

Yinham Cohen is Consul General of 

Israel to the Midwest.

Yinham 
Cohen 
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