Before people start getting mad at the ICJ for not ‘doing enough,’ from the day South Africa announced the case a) we’ve known that these proceedings will take time (that Palestinians do not have) to have tangible outcomes b) the ICJ does not have meaningful immediate power over Israel’s current activities, and c) Israeli officials have repeatedly affirmed that they would not comply with any orders for ceasefire if such orders had been called by entities with meaningful immediate power over their current activity.

However, I think the preliminary ruling in Gaza’s favor is still important. It’s acknowledgement. It’s bearing witness to Israel’s actions and saying ‘we are looking. we see you. this is wrong and should not happen.’ And no, that’s not enough to save lives today, it’s not a call for reparations and an end to the apartheid, but it is an important political precedent to set. I really feel that the tables are turning and things are changing; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but we are approaching the precipice of a new paradigm. Take heart and have hope - Palestine will be free, and we will see justice and peace in our days.