Israel pressures US Congress to threaten South Africa and halt legal action at The Hague over Gaza war crimes

Washington DC (Quds News Network)- Israel is pressuring the US Congress to push it to threaten South Africa to block a legal case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over violations of the Genocide Convention during the offensive on Gaza ,reported Axios. In a move led by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has launched a campaign pushing US lawmakers to exert pressure on South Africa to abandon the proceedings.

According to a classified Israeli Foreign Ministry cable, Israel plans to leverage the US Congress to apply pressure on South Africa, including the potential threat of suspending trade agreements with the United States. South Africa has until October 28 to present its arguments before the ICJ, following its December submission accusing Israel of committing acts tantamount to genocide during its attack on Gaza. South Africa says that Israel’s actions are aimed at the destruction of a significant portion of Gaza’s Palestinian population.

Israeli officials are working to convince the US Congress to publicly warn South Africa about the “severe consequences” of continuing the legal process. They hope the newly formed coalition government in South Africa will reconsider its stance toward Israel and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

South Africa’s case, filed under the 1948 Genocide Convention, marks a significant step in international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. While Israel has consistently denied the accusations, the lawsuit has gained traction in the international community, prompting the Israeli government to seek intervention from the US.

Since the case was submitted, the ICJ has held several hearings and issued temporary orders, including a recent one in May related to Israel’s military operations in Rafah. However, the court has yet to begin substantive deliberations on South Africa’s allegations.

The classified cable reveals that Israel’s Foreign Ministry is instructing its diplomats to mobilize US legislators, state governors, Jewish organizations, and other influential figures to pressure South Africa into abandoning the case. The aim is to show that continuing the legal process could result in significant political and economic repercussions for South Africa.

Israeli diplomats have been tasked with urging US lawmakers to issue public statements condemning South Africa’s actions and to signal that US-South Africa trade relations may suffer if the case proceeds. Additionally, they have been instructed to lobby for legislation in both federal and state governments that would target South Africa, even if such measures are unlikely to pass.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry is also pushing for public hearings in US state legislatures on South Africa’s policies towards Israel, with the goal of further isolating the South African government on the international stage.