Gaza's violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are at issue in this case.

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin obtained government consent in December for Ireland to get involved in two issues that are presently before the ICJ: The Gambia versus Myanmar and South Africa versus Israel.

Mr. Martin suggested stepping in to show Ireland's steadfast adherence to international justice and the rule of law, as well as to advance a consistent interpretation of the Genocide Convention that places a high priority on protecting civilian life.

He claimed that by asking Ireland to get involved in South Africa's case, the court is essentially requesting that it expand its definition of genocide under the Genocide Convention.

Ireland submitted a declaration of intervention on the South Africa case against Israel, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced in a statement yesterday. Ireland is not siding with either side of the dispute by submitting a declaration of involvement.

Israel declared last month that it will close its embassy in Dublin due to "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government," as its foreign minister put it.

Simon Harris, the Taoiseach, called the action a "deeply regrettable decision" and said he completely disagreed with the claim that Ireland is anti-Israel.