THE HAGUE (dpa-AFX) – South Africa has accused Israel before the International Court of Justice of having “systematically committed acts of genocide” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Before the United Nations’ highest court on Thursday in The Hague, South Africa’s legal representatives described examples of military violence and statements made by Israeli politicians and military officers over the past three months. It was said that this was done with the “intent of genocide”. Accordingly, Israel aims to destroy Palestinian life.
Israel is expected to respond to the allegations on Friday. Shortly before the hearing began, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again rejected all allegations: “Israel is fighting against Hamas terrorists, not against the Palestinian people, and we are doing so in full accordance with international law.” The USA, Great Britain and the federal government also see no basis for South Africa’s lawsuit.
The country invokes the UN Genocide Convention, which Israel has also signed. The convention defines genocide as an act “committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group as such.” Israel denies having violated this passage.
South Africa is also demanding legal protection for the Palestinians in an urgent procedure. So the judges should order an end to military actions.
The court, which is supposed to resolve conflicts between states, will initially only deal with the urgent application and then decide in the next few weeks. Proceedings on the main issue, the accusation of genocide, can take years.
A court decision is binding – even if the UN judges themselves have no power to enforce it. A negative decision could harm Israel and further increase international pressure.
It is the first time that Israel has faced charges of genocide before an international court. The lawsuit hits the country particularly hard. Because Israel was founded as a result of the Holocaust in World War II.
Israel points out its right to self-defense after the terrorist attacks by the Islamist Hamas and other extremists on October 7, 2023. Around 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were kidnapped from Israel, around half of whom have been released so far.
South Africa condemned the attacks by Hamas terrorists. “But no armed attack is a justification for violating the Genocide Convention,” said Justice Minister Ronald Lamola. He spoke of a “policy of apartheid against Palestinians for about 76 years.” Israel has also repeatedly rejected the accusation of apartheid in recent years.
South Africa’s legal representative, Adila Hassim, listed acts of violence by the army, such as bombings and blockades of humanitarian aid. She spoke of “acts of genocide” and a “systematic pattern that indicates genocidal intent.” More than 23,000 Palestinians were killed, at least 70 percent of them women and children.
South Africa also based the allegations on statements from Israeli ministers and officers. Quotes like “We will spare no one,” “We will wipe the Gaza Strip from the face of the earth,” or “Israel is fighting against human animals” are “rhetoric of genocide.”
Several hundred Palestinian supporters had gathered in front of the Peace Palace, the seat of the court. At the same time, several hundred Israel supporters also marched in front of the court and remembered the victims of Hamas’s violence./ab/DP/mis