The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled over 20 months ago (January 26th 2024) that Palestinians are at risk of plausible genocide with the situation in Gaza having worsened severely in that time. The ICJ then also issued a ruling that they found Israel to be an apartheid state (19th July 2024) and that international governments and organisations must take steps to end it. Amnesty International went further than this, reporting on 5th December 2024 that it found sufficient basis to conclude Israel has committed prohibited acts under the Genocide Convention and that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Parties to the Convention, of which the UK is one, undertake “to prevent and to punish” the crime of genocide.

Many more organisations have now stated that Israel is committing genocide. On September 16th the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory reported the crime of genocide has been carried out by Israel according to the Genocide Convention. The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) also states that Israel's conduct meets the legal definition as laid out in the UN convention on genocide. More organisations and individuals agreeing with this opinion include, but are not limited to; human rights organisation B’Tselem, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Human Rights Watch, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Al-Haq the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Center for Constitutional Rights (US), Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

Along with this, 14 countries so far have joined or signalled their intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the World Court. They include Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ireland, Spain, Libya, Maldives, Mexico, Nicaragua and Turkey.

The duty required from the Scottish Government to take all steps to stop genocide supersedes any decision taken by tournament organisers World Bowls Tour to invite the nationals of the apartheid state. If World Bowls Tour does not comply with its obligation to rescind its invitation to Kobi Hadar, then the Scottish government must intervene!

Please take 10 seconds to send our letter to World Bowls Tour and the Scottish Government to tell them that there can be no sporting stage for apartheid and genocide.