South Africa's ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel
South Africa v. Israel: The Landmark ➡️ ICJ Genocide Case
Supported by many other nations, South Africa aims to hold Israeli officials accountable for genocidal intent in Israel's war on Hamas and Gaza. The South Africa against the State of Israel proceedings began December 29, 2023 and full hearings were held in The Hague on January 11 and 12, 2024. The case was well presented and will decide whether Israel is in violation of the Genocide Convention for their war crimes and atrocities against Palestinian people.
The genocide case is a historical step in international law which could set a precedent for other atrocities and also have far-reaching implications for those who have committed serious war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Also for any states who are complicit with it. Israel has denied all allegations including genocidal intent and accuses South Africa of serious misinterpretation and cooperating with terrorist organisation Hamas.
South Africa has a special connection to the situation in Gaza as it draws on its own history of overcoming apartheid. Drawing worldwide attention, Better World Info hopes that the outcome of this case sparks greater justice and accountability regarding important issues such as war crimes and our international responsibility to prevent genocidal atrocities from happening in the future.
The ICJ ruling on January 26 stated that Israel must take all measures to protect civilians and avoid genocide, but it fell short of ordering a ceasefire. The ruling is a win for justice and the rule of law, but still allows Israel to continue their military operations in Gaza.
“The International Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide. Israel is obliged under international law to abide by the Court’s binding judgement and implement all the provisional measures with immediate effect. Israel’s allies, in particular the United States, must also respect the Court’s ruling and refrain from any statements or actions that would undermine the Court’s authority. All parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian law and end the suffering of civilians now. The rule of law must be upheld, always.” - Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
One month after proceedings, Israel was required to report back to the court, this report has not yet been published. As of March, the Republic of Ireland has decided to intervene in proceedings as they denounce the blatant violation of humanitarian law by Israel. This announcement comes as Israel prepares for its ground offense in the city of Rafah, a relative safe haven for Palestinian refugees.
As it stands, Israel is still obstructing the provision of essential humanitarian aid and basic services such as fuel and water. Aid missions and trucks remain severely restricted. These actions have been condemned as a violation of the ICJ ruling and Israel is being accused of using starvation as a weapon of war.
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Author: Rachael Mellor, 15.01.24, updated 31.03.24, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0
For further reading on the ICJ case see below ⬇️
- Video: International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Prevent Genocide in Gaza But Fails to Order Ceasefire - DN 26.01.24395812
- ICJ Lands Major Blow to Israel—And Now the United States Must Act - CD 26.01.24395841
- Provisional measures: Order of 26 January 2024, Declaration of Judge Bhandari - ICJ 26.01.24 398746
- Who is Julia Sebutinde? The judge against all ICJ rulings in Israel’s case - Al Jazeera 26.01.24395837
- Experts react: What the International Court of Justice said (and didn’t say) in the genocide case against Israel - Atlantic Council 26.01.24395840
- 'Crucial Moment in History': ICJ Orders Israel to Prevent Acts of Genocide in Gaza - CD 26.01.24395813
- Press release: Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) - The Court indicates provi…398750
- South Africa’s genocide case against Israel: The International Court of Justice explained: The Court’s final ruling may take years, but it has now taken its decision on ‘prov…402326
- Summary of the Order of 26 January 2024 - ICJ 26.01.24398749
- South African president hails ruling against Israel as step toward justice - Reuters 26.01.24395777
- Legal Briefing: Israel and the ICJ - Jewish Policy Center 26.01.24405520
- South Africa's genocide case is a diplomatic win, after 'damning' verdict - Reuters 26.01.24395776
- Provisional ICJ ruling on Gaza a 'victory for international rule of law' - AA 26.01.24395779
- President Cyril Ramaphosa: Ruling of International Court of Justice 26.01.24395809
- ICJ orders Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but not to end war - BBC 26.01.24395775
- Top UN court orders Israel to comply with international law on genocide - FT 26.01.24395778
- ICJ asks Israel to prevent genocide, doesn't order end to Gaza war - J Post 26.01.24395774
- ‘Palestinian people are left with no choice but to exercise their inalienable right to self-defence’ - Canary 26.01.24397370
- I could listen to @hzomlot talk all day about this. He doesn’t stutter, he doesn’t mince words, and he hits every mark - tw 26.01.24395810
- Video: Israel Suffers Massive Defeat In ICJ Genocide Case - Owen Jones 26.01.26395803
- Israel must comply with key ICJ ruling ordering it do all in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - Amnesty 26.01.24395765
- UN court orders Israel to ensure acts of genocide are not committed in Gaza - Guardian 26.01.24395772
- Reactions to World Court ruling on Israel's war in Gaza - Reuters 26.01.24395763
- Video: Gaza: ICJ ruling, UN failures, and US complicity - The Real News Network 26.01.24397288
- Greenpeace response to the World Court Gaza ruling - Greenpeace 26.01.24395773
- What International Law Can’t Achieve in Gaza and Ukraine - Time 26.01.24405566
- Reaction to ICJ court ruling on South Africa’s case against Israel - Oxfam 26.01.24395761
- U.N. court orders Israel to halt killings in Gaza, but no cease-fire - Washington Post 26.01.24395758
- Read the I.C.J. ruling - NY Times 26.01.24395760
- FULL ORDER of the ICJ in writing - ICJ 26.01.24 *.pdf395646
- Tweet: In a landmark decision, @CIJ_ICJ ordered urgent measures be taken to prevent genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This decision puts Israel and its allies on noti…395731
- 'Disappointment, not enough': Reaction to ICJ’s verdict - The News 26.01.24395768
- VIDEO: THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its Order in the case South Africa v. Israel - UN Web TV 26.01.24395641
- Middle East crisis live: ICJ ruling a ‘reminder no state is above the law’, says Palestine as Netanyahu says Israel is fighting a ‘just war’ - Guardian 26.01.24395591
- Tweet: This is historic. @CIJ_ICJ rules for South Africa in its Genocide Convention case against Israel, rejecting Israel's request for dismissal - @ProgIntl 26.01.24395736
- Israel/OPT: UK must take prospect of Gaza genocide seriously after top court ruling - Amnesty UK 26.01.24395645
- ‘This court is a failure’: Palestinians in Gaza decry ICJ’s interim ruling - Al Jazeera 26.01.24397052
- Foreign Country Actions to Place the IsraelHamas Conflict Before International Courts: ICJ Genocide Convention Case - Congressional Research Service (CRS) 26.01.24404570
- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the ICJ interim ruling on the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip …397366
- Gaza: World Court Orders Israel to Prevent Genocide - HRW 26.01.24395715
- South Africa’s genocide case against Israel: The International Court of Justice explained: The Court’s final ruling may take years, but it has now taken its decision on ‘prov…410442
- Court order: Why Europeans should support the ICJ’s decision on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel - European Council on Foreign Relations 26.01.24403511
- Tweet: The ICJ has ordered Israel to:... - @amnesty 26.01.24395732
- Tweet: Make no mistake: the #ICJ ruling is a total embarrassment for govt's, including ours in the UK, that support Israel... - @STWuk 26.01.24395733
- ICJ Orders Provisional Measures in South Africa v. Israel - The American Society of International Law 26.01.24410861
- Why one ICJ judge voted against every approved provisional measure in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel - Global Affairs Canada 26.01.24399673
- Tweet: Today's ruling is a huge defeat for #Israel. ICJ rules that Israel is credibly accused of potentially Genocidal acts against #Palestinians, Israel must now act to ensu…395734
- South Africa vs. Israel - Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom 26.01.24410855
- Israel on trial: the parties' arguments and the many political issues behind their legal strategies. And shed more light on what the judges will decide - Justice Info 26.01.24410680
- Top UN court stops short of ordering cease-fire in Gaza - DW 26.01.24395647
- Slovenia welcomes ICJ decision on Israel - STA 26.01.24414070
- Provisional measures: Order of 26 January 2024, Declaration of Judge Xue - ICJ 26.01.24398744
- ICJ Provisional Measures in South Africa v. Israel - Just Security 26.01.24411271
- Provisional measures: Order of 26 January 2024, Dissenting opinion of Judge Sebutinde - ICJ 26.01.24398745
- Provisional measures: Order of 26 January 2024, Separate opinion of Judge ad hoc Barak - ICJ 26.01.24 398748
- U.S. Should Acknowledge Legitimacy of ICJ Ruling and Provisional Measures - Center for International Policy (CIP) 26.01.23412034
- The International Court of Justice’s Balancing Act: Tribunals exist in an unforgiving political environment, so even the principled ones must consider the practical aspects o…411270
- Provisional measures: Order of 26 January 2024, Declaration of Judge Nolte - ICJ 26.01.24 398747
- Gaza: Israel must implement Provisional Measures ordered by the International Court Of Justice - ICJ – International Commission of Jurists 26.01.24411032
- Gaza: One month on, Israel fails to comply with the Order of the International Court of Justice - ICJ – International Commission of Jurists 26.01.24411029
- Foreign Country Actions to Place the IsraelHamas Conflict Before International Courts - Congressional Research Service 26.01.23413339
- ICJ Rules Israel Must 'Take All Measures' to Avoid Acts of Genocide in Gaza, Incitement, Does Not Order Cease-fire - Haaretz 26.01.24395644
- ICJ's Israel genocide case ruling met with disappointment in Gaza - MEE 26.01.24395771
- Tweet: Historic defeat for Israel! ICJ rules Israel is plausibly committing #GazaGenocide and orders Israel to stop committing genocidal acts. We applaud South Africa's mor…395735
- Israel-Hamas War: Int'l Court refrains from ruling to end Gaza war - JP 26.01.24395643
- ICJ badmouths Israel for 35 minutes, then Israel wins - analysis - JP 26.01.24395642
- World Court to rule on measures against Israel in Gaza genocide case - Reuters 26.01.24395592
- Triti Parsi's take on the ICJ ruling on January 26 - tw395639
- What will the ICJ announce on Israel’s Gaza war? The possible scenarios - Al Jazeera 25.01.24395587
- Israel braces for interim ICJ ruling on allegation of genocide in Gaza - Guardian 25.01.24395759
- Counter-Genocidal Governance: A social-legal perspective on litigating the crime of crimes - Verfassungsblog 25.01.24410572
- Application of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) – Provisional Measures – Court to deliver its Order on Friday 26 January 2024 at 1 p.m. – IC…395589
- Press release: (South Africa v. Israel) - Request for the indication of provisional measures - The Court to deliver its Order on Friday 26 January 2024 at 1 p.m - ICJ 24.01.24398743
- ICJ to decide on emergency measures in Israel-Gaza genocide case on Friday - Al Jazeera 24.01.24395586
- Why has Belgium vowed to back the ICJ’s verdict on Gaza ‘genocide’? - Al Jazeera 23.01.24396306
- Application for permission to intervene submitted by Nicaragua - ICJ 23.01.24398742
- What the landmark ICJ genocide case against Israel means for the world - FT 23.01.24395582
- Israel on trial: South Africa is taking Israel to the International Court of Justice. But what are the real chances of a guilty verdict? - International Politics and Society …412958
- South Africa's Case against Israel for Genocide in Gaza at the ICJ: Challenges and Prospects - Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies 22.01.24413099
- Israel’s Day in Court: Genocide Accusations and the Battle of Narratives - TRT World Research Centre 22.01.24410846
- Why Germany Should Join Sides with Israel before the ICJ in its Defense against South Africa’s Accusation of Genocide - Verfassungsblog 21.01.24410404
- What Might Happen Next in the Genocide Case Against Israel - NY Times 19.01.24395588
- Why Israel Is Taking the Genocide Case Seriously - The Atlantic 19.01.24395584
- Harsh Israeli rhetoric against Palestinians becomes central to South Africa’s genocide case - AP News 18.01.24395585
- Why the United States Can’t Ignore the ICJ Case Against Israel: Too much is at stake: too many Palestinian and Israeli lives, too much U.S. credibility, and too high the risk…411278
- Death and Consequences in Gaza: South Africa’s genocide case before the International Court of Justice, successful or not, has profoundly tainted Israel - Diwan 17.01.24411280
- 18 MPs sign motion welcoming South Africa’s genocide case against Israel - LFF 16.01.24394576
- #Media has failed to uphold impartiality & honour journalistic oaths. Palestinians are telling their tale & South Africa amplifies! "#GameOfThrones stars & other actors read…394643
- Understanding South Africa v. Israel at the International Court of Justice - Lawfare 16.01.24395583
- Tweet: South Africa is just beginning and emerging as the global champion human rights. “The US must be held accountable for the crimes it has committed.” Its lead attorney …394650
- Altruism, opportunism or both: What pushed South Africa to ICJ over Gaza? - Al Jazeera 16.01.24394348
- Israel-Palestine: the legal battle has started - Justice Info 15.01.24410681
- Germany Rushes to Declare Intention to Intervene in the Genocide Case brought by South Africa Against Israel Before the International Court of Justice - German Practice in In…410593
- It’s not only Israel on trial. South Africa is testing the west’s claim to moral superiority - Guardian 15.01.24394740
- Genocide in Gaza: Towards Revoking Israel's Immunity. If South Africa succeeds in convincing the ICJ to stop the war on Gaza, it will unleash a dynamic that will increasingly…413053
- South Africa has made its genocide case against Israel in court. Here’s what both sides said and what happens next - The Conversation 15.01.24395590
- Managed Violence: Provisional Measures in South Africa’s Genocide Application - Verfassungsblog 15.01.24410387
- Tweet: Support is growing by the day alhamdulillah. - @HayaTamimi23 15.01.24394651
- Video: Why is Namibia furious at Germany’s ICJ intervention supporting Israel? - Al Jazeera 15.01.24394039
- Namibia criticises German support for Israel over ICJ genocide case - BBC 15.01.24394038