CAIRO – 11 January 2024: The case filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which Israel is accused of committing genocide against the Palestinians, has received international acclaim since its announcement, until the start of its first session, Thursday.
In its opening argument during the hearing session at the ICJ South Africa said that it “acknowledges the ongoing Nakba that has been happening for the Palestinian people”.
Vusi Madonsela South African Ambassador to the Netherlands, explained that the Israeli occupation tore apart the Palestinian people and wasted their right to self-determination, by intensifying its violations in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinian territories.
South Africa accused Israel before the International Court of Justice of “pushing the people of Gaza to the brink of famine.”
The South African case before ICJ, had the support of at least 13 countries, in addition to the Arab League, which includes 22 members, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes 57 members, while the United States and other countries expressed their support for Israel.
According to Human Rights Watch, leaders and officials representing Bangladesh, Bolivia, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Namibia, Nicaragua and Venezuela welcomed the step taken by South Africa.
Brazilian President Gustavo Petro said that it is very clear that all measures and movements adopted by the Israeli government constitute “acts of genocide”.
South Africa filed a case before the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide against the People of Gaza Strip.
The South African case includes references to the Israeli use of mass bombing and cutting off supplies of food, water and medicine to Gaza.
Israel had indicated its intention to deny the accusations, which were rejected by both Tel Aviv and Washington as ‘baseless’. The case may take years for the court to issue a final decision, but it may also issue measures requiring actions such as a ceasefire to reduce the risk of genocide.
On Wednesday, the Arab League (AL)’s Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki said that the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will have a significant impact on stopping the war in the Gaza Strip.
The ICJ has no coercive power to impose a ceasefire in Gaza but if a relevant decision is issued, Israel will have to stop the attacks, Zaki said.
The Arab League sought to join South Africa in the step, but the pan-Arab body is not a party according to the law, the official said.
State parties to the Genocide Convention include South Africa, Jordan and Bolivia, Zaki noted, expressing hope that there would be a significant reaction from the International Court of Justice after the UN Security Council has been unable to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for 3 months.
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