International Court of Justice begins historic trial on Israeli genocide in Gaza
The Hague (Quds News Network) – The International Court of Justice commenced its first hearings on Thursday to try Israel on charges of committing the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip, based on a lawsuit filed by South Africa and supported by dozens of nations, marking a historic precedent in the Palestinian question.
South Africa presented a meticulously compiled 84-page case to the court, gathering evidence of Israel’s killing of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and creating conditions “conducive to their physical destruction,” constituting a crime of “genocide” against them.
The court sessions will exclusively address South Africa’s request for urgent measures directing Israel to suspend its military offensive in Gaza while the court examines the legal basis of the case, a process that may span several years.
The court proceedings commenced with an opening statement by South Africa’s Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, followed by a presentation from the South African representative before the court.
South Africa’s Deputy Attorney General: Israel subjects Palestinians to apartheid
Adila Hassim, advocate of South Africa’s high court, argued before the International Court of Justice that the Palestinian people faced a catastrophe in 1948 when Israel deprived them of non-negotiable rights such as the right of return and self-determination.
Adila Hassim of South Africa at ICJ: Israel has transgressed Article Two of the Genocide convention, committing acts that fall within the definition of genocide. pic.twitter.com/yxbCsihj1y
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 11, 2024
He called for an end to discriminatory policies committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, leveraging the immunity granted to it. He emphasized that Israel has recently escalated its aggression against the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, he stated that Israel solidifies a system of apartheid in the Palestinian territories, imposes a blockade on Gaza, and incites violence against the Palestinian people, violating the Genocide Convention.
“We, along with representatives of the state of Palestine and human rights, file this lawsuit on behalf of the citizens of Gaza who cannot live in safety,” he asserted.
Lamola: Israel crossed all limits, unjustifiable in law and humanity
South Africa’s Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, stated, “No armed attack on any territory, however grave its danger (…) can justify violations of the Convention.”
He accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention, saying that South Africa fully understands the responsibility of initiating prosecutions against Israel for violating the convention.
South Africa’s justice minister Ronald Lamola outlined the country’s genocide case against Israel, as a landmark hearing opened at the ICJ. pic.twitter.com/16Awi16ZA0
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 11, 2024
Lamola noted that his country presented this lawsuit on behalf of the State of Palestine, believing in preventing genocide, and urged an immediate halt to the destructive situation faced by Palestine in Gaza.
During the two-day court sessions, the court will hear South Africa’s justifications for filing the case and Israel’s response on Friday.
A ruling on urgent measures, expected later this month, might include immediate orders for Israel to halt its military aggression on Gaza. However, the court will not issue a judgment on the genocide allegations simultaneously.
South Africa filed the lawsuit against Israel, the occupying power, on December 29, following its involvement in “acts of genocide” against our people in the Gaza Strip.
The lawsuit addresses Israel’s commitments under the Genocide Convention, and South Africa asked the International Court of Justice to take urgent measures to protect our people in Gaza, facing catastrophic living conditions due to war crimes committed by the occupation forces.
Expressing solidarity, Jordan, Turkey, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Venezuela, Namibia, Nicaragua, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), comprising 57 Muslim-majority countries, and the Arab League have supported South Africa’s lawsuit.
Additionally, 200 professors and experts in international law, mainly from prestigious American universities, endorsed the case.
Since October 7, the Israeli occupation has launched a devastating assault on the Gaza Strip, resulting in an ongoing toll of over 23,000 martyrs, 59,000 injuries—with over 70% being women and children—and more than 7,000 people missing under the rubble. The destruction of infrastructure, a humanitarian catastrophe, and a health crisis in Gaza are unprecedented.
