OVER 200 GROUPS URGE SOUTH AFRICA TO RETURN TO ICJ

Sat 29 March 2025:

Over 200 South African and Palestinian human rights organisations have urged South Africa to return to the International Court of Justice to ensure the implementation of the provisional measures previously issued by the court against Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

In a statement, the groups thanked South Africa for being a “staunch supporter and protector of the fundamental rights and interests of Palestinians”. But they indicated that Israel’s resumed attacks on Gaza, as well as its ongoing military escalation in the occupied West Bank, amounted to a “change in situation” that could trigger the court’s prerogative to issue new or modify the existing measures.

In January 2024 the ICJ ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza. In March 2024 it ordered Israel to take all the necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies arrive without delay to the Palestinian population in Gaza.

And, in May 2024, the court ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah and withdraw from the enclave

Since then, “Palestinians in Gaza have been subjected to a further seven months of unrelenting bombardment, forced displacement, starvation and erasure before the brief ceasefire that was violated by Israel hundreds of times in its 42-day existence”, the organisations wrote.

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What are South Africa’s accusations against Israel?

South Africa has accused Israel of committing the crime of genocide in Gaza in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, which both countries are party to.

The killing of Palestinians in Gaza in large numbers, especially children; destruction of their homes; their expulsion and displacement; blockade on food, water and medical assistance to the strip; the imposition of measures preventing Palestinian births by destroying essential health services crucial for the survival of pregnant women and babies, are all listed as genocidal actions in the suit.

What has Israel said?

Israel, which has lambasted South Africa for bringing the case, has promised to defend itself at the court. Senior Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, have called the case “preposterous” and say it constitutes a “blood libel”.

What’s the response of the international community?

Several countries and organisations have backed South Africa’s suit. Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, Bolivia, the Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan, Columbia, and members of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) are among them.

The European Union has been silent, but Israel has seen support from its number one backer and weapons supplier, the United States.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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