South Africa Takes Israel to ICJ for Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza
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Roshan Amiri
- . December 30, 2023
- . Update: December 30, 2023 5:03 pm
South Africa is the first country in the world to have initiated legal action against Israel at the ICJ for its IDF’s continued offensive in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirmed that South Africa has filed a case, accusing Israel of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. More than 21,000 civilians have been killed in Israel’s relentless bombardment after Hamas October 7 attack on Israel. South Africa described Israel’s actions in the besieged territory as genocidal in character. It accused Israel of failing to prevent genocide and prosecuting the direct and public incitement to genocide.
Lior Haiat, Israel foreign ministry spokesperson, said Israel rejects with abhorrence the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application to the ICJ.
Acts and Omissions of Palestinians by Israel
The ICJ in a press release stated that South Africa alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“Acts and omissions by Israel are genocidal in character as they are committed with the requisite specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group. The conduct of Israel through its state organs, state agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence – in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, is in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention.”
South Africa highlighted that Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
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The Israeli Foreign Ministry said IDF’s operations in Gaza are directed against Hamas and other terror factions. It added that Israel has clarified that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy.
“South Africa’s claim has no factual and judicial basis and is a despicable and cheap exploitation of the court. South Africa is collaborating with a terror group that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called on the International Court of Justice and the international community to reject the baseless claims of South Africa out of hand.
