The genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will continue and South Africa will file a memorial next month, the presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.
“South Africa intends to provide facts and evidence to prove that Israel is committing the crime of genocide in Palestine,” the statement said.
“This case will continue until the court makes a finding. While the case is in progress, we hope that Israel will abide by the court’s provisional orders issued to date.”
The remarks come amid reports that Israeli diplomats are being instructed to lobby members of the US Congress to pressure South Africa into dropping the case.
Following a request from South Africa on May 10 citing “changed circumstances” and “new facts,” the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza, punish calls for genocide, ensure humanitarian aid, and preserve evidence related to alleged crimes. However, the court did not grant South Africa’s request to halt Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The South African case against Israel was filed in December 2023 and was subsequently joined by Nicaragua, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia. The ICJ’s preliminary ruling demands Israel to prevent acts under the Genocide Convention and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza.
Peoplesmind