South Africa is to present its argument during a public hearing against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing actions in Gaza that are "genocidal in character" against the Palestinian population.
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| First session end next will be 12-01-24 |
South Africa is presenting its arguments Thursday to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel denies the allegations, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described as “meritless” while urging Israel to scale back the intensity of its military operations.
South Africa is asking the court, the United Nations’ main judicial body, to consider “provisional measures” including that Israel “cease killing” people in Gaza. Israel will respond Friday.
By Emily Rauhala Brussels bureau chief
The first hearing of this case is now underway. South Africa will have three hours to address the court. Israel will address it tomorrow. The hearings this week are to consider “provisional measures” to stop conditions in Gaza from worsening while the case progresses. They will not establish whether genocide was committed.
South Africa cited the words of senior Israeli officials as evidence of “genocidal intent”
• South Africa cited the words of senior Israeli officials as evidence of “genocidal intent” against Palestinians in Gaza, opening a closely watched case that could shape the course of the war. Israel, which has strongly denied all charges, will deliver its remarks Friday.
In a hearing at the International Court of Justice, South African lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued Thursday that Israeli officials have deliberately and systematically used dehumanizing language to normalize genocidal rhetoric and send a message to Israeli soldiers on the ground.
Ngcukaitobi cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reference to violent biblical passages, as well as remarks by Israel’s defense minister and president. He also highlighted a video that he said showed Israeli soldiers echoing their language and celebrating attacks.
Which countries are for and against the ICJ case accusing Israel of genocide?
• South Africa initiated legal proceedings against Israel last month at the International Court of Justice, accusing the nation of committing genocide. Since then, at least 13 nations have voiced support for South Africa’s case, along with the 22-member Arab League and 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, while the United States and other nations have expressed support for Israel.
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| Pro-Palestinian protesters rally in The Hague before the hearing at the International Court of Justice on Thursday. (Remko De Waal/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) |
THE HAGUE — Demonstrators assembled outside the International Court of Justice on Thursday ahead of the first hearing in South Africa’s case accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations as has the United States.
Outside the court, dozens of pro-Palestinian and a handful of pro-Israeli demonstrators waved flags and chanted amid tight security. Dagmar Bosma, 29, came to the court with a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups to “show solidarity with the South African effort.”
“It is a historical moment,” she said. “It takes an oppressed people to recognize what is happening, I think, so we are very thankful to South Africa.” Across the street, a group of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs that read “stop the genocide” chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Israel is a terrorist state.”
Nearby, a smaller group of pro-Israeli protesters waved the Israeli flag and held pictures of hostages being held by Hamas. “I am here to support Israel,” said Judith De Jonge, 58. “I think it is a shame that South Africa started this case,” she said. The hearings will begin with a presentation from South Africa. On Friday, Israel will have a chance to address the court.⍐
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