War in the Middle East - South Africa accuses Israel of "genocide" before UN court
South Africa has accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip before the highest court of the United Nations. The complaint filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday also demands that Israel be ordered to cease its attacks in Gaza, the ICJ announced. The actions of the Israeli armed forces have a "genocidal character", as they are aimed at the annihilation of the Palestinians in this area.
South Africa is basing its complaint on the UN Genocide Convention, as both it and Israel have signed the convention. The government in Pretoria has traditionally maintained good relations with the Palestinian territories. South African politicians have repeatedly drawn comparisons with past apartheid policies in their own country.
Israel: Hamas solely and exclusively responsible
Israel firmly rejected South Africa's accusations. "South Africa's complaint lacks both factual and legal basis," wrote a spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry on X, formerly Twitter. "South Africa is collaborating with a terrorist organization (Hamas) that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel."
Hamas is solely and exclusively responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the military fight against Hamas, Israel is doing everything it can to minimize the damage to the civilian population.
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Years can pass before a verdict is reached
According to its statute, the ICJ should settle conflicts between states as peacefully as possible. Its rulings are generally binding. However, the UN judges do not have the power to force a state to comply. They can, however, call on the UN Security Council to take action in the matter.
Legal experts in The Hague assume that there could be an initial hearing on South Africa's demands within a few weeks. However, if the ICJ then opens proceedings, it could be years before a verdict is reached.
The ICJ was last called upon in March 2022 by the government in Kiev in connection with the Russian aggression against Ukraine for an alleged violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention. The accusation is not tenable, Russia's lawyers argued at the ICJ. Kiev is trying to abuse the court with false accusations.
In Ukraine's complaint, Russia is accused of justifying the invasion with the false claim that the Russian population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk had to be protected from genocide. In reality, it is the Russian troops who are committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine. According to experts, these proceedings could also drag on for years. Ukraine is being supported by more than 30 other countries, including Germany.
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- The International Court of Justice in The Hague is set to examine South Africa's accusation of genocide against Israel in the Gaza Strip, as outlined in the complaint filed before the UN court.
- The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have once again brought the issue of justice and accountability to the forefront, with the ICJ in The Hague set to play a critical role.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry has dismissed South Africa's accusations as lacking both factual and legal basis, reiterating that Hamas is solely responsible for the situation in the Gaza Strip.
- The genocidal actions of the Israeli armed forces, as alleged by South Africa, have sparked international concern, with many calling for an end to the conflict and accountability for any violations of international law.
- The International Court of Justice in The Hague, with its historic ruling in the Ukraine-Russia case earlier in 2022, is poised to make a significant impact on the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the pursuit of justice for the Palestinian people.
- South Africa's accusations against Israel have sparked heated debates in international circles, with some countries supporting South Africa's stance and others siding with Israel.
- The Palestinian territories, along with South Africa, have played a key role in rallying support for Palestinians in their struggle for self-determination and justice, highlighting the critical role of international solidarity in the face of genocide and other human rights violations.
- As the ICJ in The Hague prepares to hear South Africa's case against Israel, observers in The Hague and around the world are closely watching the developments in the Middle East and waiting for the court's ruling, which could have significant implications for the region and international law.
Source: www.stern.de
