Israel – ICJ 2024: Israel Before The International Court Of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, marked a historic precedent on 11 January 2024, as the highest judicial body of the United Nations began considering the claims of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) in its lawsuit against Israel alleging the commission of "the crime of genocide" against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. South Africa accused Israel before the ICJ, of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and committing "acts of genocide" in the Gaza Strip. South Africa believes that the attack carried out by Hamas on 7 October cannot justify Israel's actions in Gaza.

It is a historic precedent as it is the first time a Jewish state is prosecuted under the UN Convention on Genocide, enacted after World War II in light of the crimes committed against the same people, the Jews, during the Holocaust.
In the 84-page application, South Africa asserts that Israel's actions and the killing of Palestinians are "genocidal in character" because they were committed with a specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.
The complaint further alleges that Israel's conduct, through its state organs, state agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control, or influence, constitutes a gross violation of its obligations towards Palestinians in Gaza. The application states that Israel has failed to prevent genocide and has not prosecuted direct and/or public incitement to commit genocide.
The South African legal team, led by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, argues that "Israel's genocidal intent exists, and the goal of its soldiers is to destroy Gaza....