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.
On May 24, the court ordered an immediate halt to Israel's offensive in Rafah.
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Author: Rachael Mellor, 15.01.24, updated 25.05.24, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0
For further reading on the ICJ case see below ⬇️
- International Court of Justice Press release: Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerus…384145
- An Appeal to Address the Failure in Preventing Genocide in Gaza through the International Court of Justice - Opinio Juris 10.11.23410771
- Opinion | What I Believe as a Historian of Genocide - The New York Times 10.11.24393370
- South Africa Accuses Israel Of Committing Genocide In Gaza - HuffPost 06.11.23385529
- South Africa Calls on Israel to Protect Civilians Amid Military Actions in Gaza - Sputnik 04.11.23381924
- South Africa calls for the International community to hold Israel accountable for breaches of International Law - Department of International Relations and Cooperation 30.10…391978
- Civilians not a target: Envoy decries ‘genocide’ tag of Israel-Hamas war - Manila Bulletin 23.10.23393374
- Israel is manufacturing a case for genocide - Al Jazeera 12.10.23393375
- Palestinian UN envoy accuses Israel of 'genocidal' campaign against Gaza - Reuters 11.10.23393376
- Israel-Palestine conflict divides South African politicians – what their responses reveal about historical alliances - The Conversation 10.10.23376330
- Naledi Pandor (SA Minister of International Relations and Cooperation) - Wikipedia395808
- Our FACEBOOK post on the topic395712
- Our INSTAGRAM post on the topic395713
- Israel must comply with International Court of Justice order calling it to immediately halt military operations in Rafah - Amnesty International 24.05.24416109
- Thoughts on the ICJ’s Modified Provisional Measures Order in South Africa v. Israel - Lawfare Institute 29.05.24416110
- ICJ Orders Israel to “Immediately Halt its Military Offensive”: International Community Must Ensure Israel’s Compliance With All Provisional Measures Orders - Al Mezan Center…416127
- Human Rights Watch welcomes ICJ ruling to halt Rafah offensive, but emphasizes need for 'action' - Anadolu Ajansı 24.05.24416164
- New Zealand’s response to South Africa v Israel - ICJ case - New Zealand Foreign Affairs 22.03.24416354
- U.S. Lawmakers Urge Sanctions on ICJ Judge With History of Anti-Israel Bias - Foundation for Defense of Democracies 31.03.24416446
- At ICJ, Slovenia stresses the right of Palestinians to self-determination - Slovenia Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs 23.02.24416522
- Gaza: World court orders Israel to halt military operations in Rafah - United Nations 24.05.24416661
Pagination
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) @ UN
- Israel War Crimes and Genocide Accusations
- Atrocities by Israel
- International Criminal Court & Israel
- Gaza Blockade and Siege
- Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
- Ethnic Cleansing & Cultural Genocide
- Genocide
- Genocide Examples
- GAZA SIEGE - a crime against humanity !
- War Crimes in Ukraine
- Jewish HOLOCAUST