ICJ gearing up for first public hearing on South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide
The Hague (Quds News Network) – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is gearing up for its inaugural public hearing, scheduled for January 11, to deliberate on the lawsuit brought forth by South Africa against Israel. The case accuses Israel of involvement in genocidal actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The hearings will extend into the following day.
The spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Clayson Monyela, revealed in a post on X that preparations are underway for the upcoming hearing. He emphasized the gravity of the accusations, stating, “Our lawyers are currently preparing for this.”
In its official statement, the ICJ outlined South Africa’s plea, indicating that the country seeks “provisional measures to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention.” Additionally, South Africa aims “to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide and to prevent and punish genocide.”
DIRCO underscored South Africa’s commitment to preventing genocide as a State Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The statement emphasized that the country has consistently called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, urging a return to talks to end the violence stemming from the ongoing occupation of Palestine.
Israel has responded to the legal proceedings, asserting its intention to appear before the ICJ to counter what it deems “South Africa’s absurd blood libel.”
International backing for South Africa’s move
In a show of support, Malaysia, Turkey, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have endorsed South Africa’s application before the ICJ.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli emphasized that Israel’s actions in Gaza, resulting in the death of more than 22,000 Palestinian civilians, should not go unpunished. Malaysia echoed these sentiments, calling on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and immediately cease its atrocities against the Palestinians.
The OIC, representing 57 member states, issued a statement on Sunday urging the ICJ to “take urgent measures to stop this mass genocide” perpetrated by Israel.
The hearings will be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing in English and French, the official languages of the court, on the ICJ’s website and UN Web TV.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7 has resulted in the death of 22,313 Palestinians and the injury of 57,296. Palestinian and international estimates highlight that the majority of casualties are women and children.
