In a landmark case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa has accused Israel of perpetrating genocidal acts against Palestinians during its military campaign in Gaza.
The hearings saw South Africa calling for an emergency suspension of Israel’s aerial and ground offensive, asserting that it aimed at the “destruction of the population” in Gaza.
Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, representing the High Court of South Africa, told the court that Israel exhibited a genocidal intent against Palestinians, evident in the conduct of the military attack and nurtured at the highest state level. Israel rejected the genocide allegations as baseless, accusing South Africa of siding with the Palestinian group Hamas.
The 1948 Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. South Africa pointed to Israel’s sustained bombing campaign, resulting in over 23,000 casualties in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Adila Hassim, an advocate from South Africa’s high court, emphasized the daily mounting loss of life, property, dignity, and humanity for Palestinians, urging the ICJ to order Israel to suspend its military campaign.
The ICJ is expected to rule on possible emergency measures later this month, with a separate decision on the genocide allegations anticipated in the coming years.
The politically charged case has drawn global attention, prompting marches and rallies in The Hague by supporters on both sides.
Pro-Israel protesters, carrying flags and posters, marched in freezing temperatures, while a pro-Palestinian march, symbolized by red-and-green colored smoke, was kept separate under heavy police presence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified on social media that Israel’s intent was not permanent occupation or displacement of Gaza’s civilian population.
Israel countered South Africa’s claims, asserting its war against Palestinian militants rather than the Palestinian people. South Africa’s court filings highlighted Israel’s alleged failure to provide essential assistance to Gaza, occupied by Hamas in 2007, two years after the end of Israel’s 38-year occupation.
As the ICJ proceedings unfolded, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri expressed keen interest, urging the court to criminalize the Israeli occupation and halt the aggression on Gaza. The ICJ’s final decisions are binding but lack enforceabilit
