Turkey joins genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Istanbul (Quds News Network)- Turkey has said it will formally submit its declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel over the war on Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the move on Monday while addressing a news conference in Cairo.

Fidan said the submission before the United Nations court is expected on Wednesday.

He said Palestinians have had a constructive attitude during the negotiation process, while Israel has been the “spoiler”, adding that last week, Israel conducted a “treacherous assassination” of the chief negotiator in talks for a ceasefire in Gaza, referring to Palestinian group Hamas’ Political Bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.

In May, Turkey announced that it had decided to join the case launched by South Africa as it stepped up measures against Israel over its genocide war on Gaza, and that it would submit a bid after the necessary legal preparations.

The ICJ has ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the United Nations Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.

South Africa brought its case against Israel in December, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The case argues that Israel violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust and requires countries to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.

So far, 13 countries have joined or declared their intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The ICJ may allow states to intervene in cases and give their views.