Report By | Parvez Ahmad
What arguments did South Africa give against Israel in the International Court?
The case against Israel has been under consideration for the past two days at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. A request has been submitted to the court to determine whether Israel’s actions towards Palestinians in Gaza can be classified as genocide.
South Africa has brought this matter to the attention of the International Court, prompting Israel to vehemently reject these allegations as “baseless.” In response, South Africa has urged the court to mandate an end to Israel’s military campaign.
South Africa contends that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza constitute genocide and ethnic cleansing. On January 11, Tembeka Ngkuketobi, a High Court lawyer from South Africa, presented arguments before a panel of 17 judges at the court.
South Africa maintains that Israel is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention. Adela Hashim, representing South Africa, asserted before the court, “Every day, the loss to the Palestinian people in terms of property, dignity, and humanity is escalating, and only the court’s intervention can halt this genocide,” citing an average of 247 Palestinians being killed daily.
On January 12, Israeli legal advisor Tal Baker conceded in court that civilians in Gaza were enduring a tragedy. He countered in his statement that South Africa was distorting facts, deeming the accusations baseless. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent from the International Criminal Court of Justice, though he asserted in a statement that “South Africa is merely feigning concern, shouting that we are fighting against genocide.”
