South Africa has received phenomenal support for its decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for ‘genocidal acts’ in Gaza.
In a significant development, South Africa filed an urgent case against Israel at the ICJ also known as the World Court on Friday, accusing the state of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
South Africa has shown steadfast support for Palestinians over Israel’s war on Gaza and wants the court to declare on an urgent basis that Israel is in breach of its obligations in terms of the Genocide Convention for its war in Gaza and wants it to cease attacks on Palestine.
Watch Nabila Bana shed light on how this solidarity is deeply rooted in South Africa’s apartheid history
South Africa has shown steadfast support for Palestinians over Israel’s war on Gaza.
Nabila Bana sheds light on how this solidarity is deeply rooted in South Africa’s apartheid history ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/X0L25jLqN6
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 30, 2023
The move which has been lauded, comes after nearly three months of relentless Israeli bombardment which has killed more than 21,500 people, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Accountability
The African National Congress (ANC) has commended the government’s decision to approach the ICJ.
ANC nation spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the decision signifies the nation’s unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and the principles enshrined in international law.
“The ANC stands in solidarity with the South African government’s pursuit of justice through the appropriate international legal mechanisms. The decision to seek the intervention of the ICJ underscores the ANC’s dedication to uphold values of peace, justice, and human dignity.
“We emphasize the importance of accountability for any violations of international law and stress the need for a comprehensive and fair investigation to determine responsibility,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Support
Good party secretary-general Brett Herron has also welcomed the government’s decision to file a case against Israel.
“It is, though, too soon to pop champagne corks, as the application will greatly test the UN court’s fortitude and ability to enforce global conventions such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”
The Economic Freedom Fighter’s (EFF) Nazier Paulsen said more should be done to hold Israel accountable for genocide.
“We should demand more. This is possible when we act in solidarity. Around the world decent citizens are using their voices, standing together, and taking to the streets to demand that their governments act against the genocide unfolding in the Middle East.
“We want more. We must demand that SA citizens serving in the Israeli Occupation Forces are prosecuted. Political parties that support the genocidal Israelis must be banned and their leaders prosecuted. It’s sheer hypocrisy to maintain any diplomatic or trade relations with a country that we know is committing a genocide,” Paulsen said in a X post.
We should demand more. This is possible when we act in solidarity.
Around the world decent citizens are using their voices, standing together and taking to the streets to demand that their governments act against the genocide unfolding in the Middle East.
We want more. We must… pic.twitter.com/OAZjeFlEWe
— NazierPaulsen (@nazier_paulsen) December 30, 2023
Genocide
In the 84-page court application to the ICJ, South Africa labelled Israel’s attacks as “genocidal” in character.
“The acts and omissions by Israel complained of by South Africa are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group that being the part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.
“The conduct of Israel — through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence — in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, is in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention,” the affidavit read.
The application asks the ICJ for a hearing to take place next week and requests that a number “provisional measures” be indicated by the court.
Last month cabinet indicated that it had filed a referral to the court at The Hague to investigating war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and accused Israel of turning the enclave into a concentration camp.
Israel has rejected the allegation, calling it “baseless.”
In other news – RIP: Actress Leleti Khumalo pays tribute to her ex-husband Mbongeni Ngema
Mzansi writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theatre producer, Mbongeni Ngema’s ex-wife Leleti Khumalo has shared a tribute to the late veteran playwright.
Ngema died shortly after being attended by doctors at Adelaide and OR Tambo Memorial Hospital in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday after following a car crash involving a truck on the R61. Khumalo shared an official tribute statement on her social media platforms sending her condolences to the Ngema family. Read More