South Africa accuses Israel of “systematic acts of genocide” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at the International Court of Justice. With an unprecedented wave of violence, Israel is seeking to destroy the lives of Palestinians, South Africa’s legal representatives told the United Nations’ highest court.
South Africa accuses Israel of violating the Genocide Convention and is urgently demanding immediate legal protection for the Palestinians. The judges should order an end to military actions.
South Africa condemned the October 7 attacks on Israelis by the terrorist organization Hamas. “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.”
Several hundred Palestinian supporters had gathered in front of the Peace Palace, the seat of the court. At the same time, supporters of Israel also went to court.
South Africa’s legal representative, Adila Hassim, described acts of violence by the army, such as bombings and blockades of humanitarian aid. She spoke of “genocidal acts.” More than 23,000 Palestinians were killed, at least 70 percent of whom were women and children.
Israel firmly rejects the allegations and plans to present its position on Friday. The UN Court of Justice initially only wants to decide on the urgent application in the next few weeks. Proceedings on the main issue, the genocide allegation, can take years.
Habeck cannot understand the genocide accusation
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck cannot understand South Africa’s accusation of genocide. The Green politician said during a visit to the Israeli city of Sderot that he had every empathy for people who suffered in the Gaza Strip and who lost families and children “as a result of this terrible conflict.” This is just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip and is one of the places that were attacked by extremist Palestinians on October 7th.
Israel knows that things cannot continue like this, said Habeck, referring to the actions of the armed forces. “But genocide is something different, it is the deliberate desire to wipe out ethnic groups or religious communities, the deliberate extinction.” The Israeli army accepts that people will die. But the forces did not target civilians and do not enter Gaza to murder children or rape and then murder women. There is a difference: “Hamas drove through the streets here with the sole aim of slaughtering as many people as possible, blindly killing everyone who saw them.”
The UN Court of Justice is supposed to decide on conflicts between states. A decision, initially only on the urgent application, is expected in the next few weeks. Proceedings on the main issue, the genocide allegation, can take years.
