South Africa asks ICJ to order Israel to stop its onslaught on Gaza
The Hague (Quds News Network) – South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order the occupying Israeli regime to immediately suspend its offensive in Gaza, where over 24,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed in more than three months of Israeli genocide.
The demand came at the closing of the first day of hearings of a case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa accused Israel of subjecting Palestinians to genocidal acts and demanded an emergency suspension of Israel’s military onslaught on the Palestinian enclave.
“South Africa contends that Israel has transgressed Article Two of the (Genocide) convention, committing acts that fall within the definition of genocide,” Adila Hassim, advocate of South Africa’s high court, told the ICJ.
Hundreds of protesters continue to flock to the ICJ building in the Hague to support South Africa's genocide case against Israel. pic.twitter.com/2rGWVbO2OR
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 11, 2024
“The actions show a systematic pattern of conduct from which genocide can be inferred.”
The ICJ is expected to rule on possible emergency measures later this month. The court will not rule at that time on the genocide charges, as they could take years.
The ICJ’s decisions are final and without appeal, but the court has no way to enforce them.
BREAKING| South Africa demands International Court of Justice impose provisional measures on Israel to halt its assault on Gaza
Delegation underscores mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza formed 'calculated pattern of conduct by Israel indicating a genocidal intent' pic.twitter.com/vQ0ROl6OZe
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 11, 2024
In its court filings, South Africa cites Israel’s failure to provide food, water, medicine and other essential assistance to Gaza, where Hamas seized power in 2007, two years after Israel ended a 38-year occupation.
South Africa and Israel are both parties to the convention, which obliges them to not commit genocide and also to prevent and punish it.
South Africa's legal team in the Hague says the destruction of Palestinian life is an articulated state policy. pic.twitter.com/F3QiAhoKFU
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 11, 2024