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South Africa alleges Israel violating ruling to prevent Gaza deaths on February 1, 2024 at 5:26 pm
South Africa on Wednesday accused Israel of violating the United Nations’ top court’s recent ruling to prevent deaths in Gaza, as Israel pushes forward with its campaign to eliminate the threat of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The U.N. International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling last week ordered Israel to do more to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip, and gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government one month to present a plan. The ruling, however, did not explicitly call for a cease-fire in the war.
The ICJ also found it is “at the very least plausible that Israel is committing genocide,” as the death toll climbs past 26,700 people in Gaza, The Associated Press reported, citing the Health Ministry in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on Wednesday said the ICJ’s ruling “makes it clear that it is plausible that genocide is taking place against the Palestinian people in Gaza. This necessarily imposes an obligation on all states to cease funding and facilitating Israel’s military actions,” Reuters reported.
Israel has repeatedly defended its bombardment of Gaza following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel Oct. 7, which left approximately 1,200 people dead.
Israeli forces continued attacks in the territory following the ruling, according to the Health Ministry, which said Wednesday 150 people were killed in the 24 hours prior, The AP reported. The Health Ministry did not discern between combatants and civilians in its count, but has said the majority of those killed are women and children.
Israel’s government has argued its actions in Gaza do not amount to genocide, and that it has made attempts to limit civilian deaths in the coastal enclave. Netanyahu has said his country “will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people.”
“I can’t be dishonest. I believe the rulings of the court have been ignored,” South Africa’s foreign minister said, per The AP. “Hundreds of people have been killed in the last three or four days. And clearly Israel believes it has license to do as it wishes.”
Pandor warned of the dangers if the world does not do more to curb civilian causalities, comparing the situation in Gaza to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, when over 800,000 people were killed in the East African nation, the AP noted.
“We are allowing this to happen again, right before our eyes, on our TV screens,” Pandor reportedly said.
She also raised the question of why an arrest warrant for Netanyahu has not been issued in South Africa’s separate case filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the AP reported.
Pandor added South Africa would “look at proposing other measures to the global community,” to prevent Israel from killing more civilians in Gaza Strip. Hamas, a group the U.S. and E.U. have designated as a terrorist organization, controls Gaza.
South Africa filed a case against Netanyahu to the ICC in November, alleging Israel is committing war crimes.
“The (ICC) prosecutor assured us the matter is in hand and being looked at by his office,” Pandor said of her country’s allegations. “What I felt he didn’t answer me sufficiently on was, I asked him why he was able to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin while he is unable to do so for the Prime Minister of Israel. He couldn’t answer and didn’t answer that question.”
South Africa on Wednesday accused Israel of violating the United Nations’ top court’s recent ruling to prevent deaths in Gaza, as Israel pushes forward with its campaign to eliminate the threat of Palestinian militant group Hamas. The U.N. International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling last week ordered Israel to do more to protect civilians in…
President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.
How Taxes Work Now
Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.
Questions From Experts
Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.
What Congress Must Do
The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.
What It Means Right Now
For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.
The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.
“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.
Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.
The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.
Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.
Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.
As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.
What Happened at the United Nations
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.
Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?
The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.
International Reaction and Significance
The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.
Why Is This News Important?
The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.
This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.
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