In a significant development, South Africa, a State Party to the Genocide Convention, has lodged an 84-page application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
The application, submitted on December 29, alleges that Israel’s actions in Gaza are of a genocidal character, with specific intent to destroy the Palestinians of Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.
South Africa’s detailed application asserts that Israel’s conduct violates its obligations under the Genocide Convention, pointing to well-documented evidence.
Among the allegations cited are the killing of Palestinians, including a high proportion of women and children, causing physical and psychological harm, forced evacuation and displacement of Palestinians, widespread hunger, destruction of infrastructure, and imposing measures to prevent Palestinian births.
Israel has responded by launching a campaign to sway international opinion and prevent the ICJ from labeling its actions as genocide. On January 4, the Israeli Foreign Ministry instructed its embassies worldwide to lobby politicians and diplomats to oppose South Africa’s case at the ICJ.
The ICJ, the judicial arm of the United Nations (UN), is now tasked with examining the allegations. Comprising 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, the ICJ resolves disputes between countries but does not operate as a criminal court like the International Criminal Court.
If the ICJ were to rule in favour of South Africa’s application, it could potentially order Israel to immediately suspend its military operation in Gaza.
The case has heightened international attention on the longstanding conflict in the region, prompting discussions on accountability and the protection of human rights.
