The Republic of South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice of the United Nations to issue an urgent injunction to recognize that Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip have violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

In the latest development in Israel’s war against Hamas, tens of thousands of newly displaced Gazans sought refuge in the heart of the Palestinian enclave on Friday, fleeing a new Israeli tank offensive, while warplanes pounded the south, destroying homes and burying families under rubble. they were sleeping, Reuters and the Guardian reported with reference to News.ro.

The request to the UN court is the latest move by South Africa, a staunch critic of Israel’s war, to step up pressure after its lawmakers voted last month to close the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspend all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire agreement is reached in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza.

In a statement from South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the government said the International Court of Justice complaint against Israel was filed on Friday. “Israel, especially after October 7, 2023, failed to prevent genocide and failed to prosecute direct and public incitement to genocide,” DIRCO said in a statement. The institution clarified that it asked the International Court of Justice to declare “as a matter of urgency that Israel is in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention and must immediately stop all actions and measures that violate these obligations and take a number of appropriate measures.” .

The International Court of Justice is one of the six main organs of the United Nations and helps resolve disputes between states in accordance with international law.

South Africa has for decades championed Palestinian statehood in the Israeli-occupied territories, comparing the plight of the Palestinians to that of black-majority South Africa during the oppressive apartheid era, a comparison Israel vehemently denies.

Israel’s reaction

In addition, Israel reacted sharply to the “unfounded” approach of South Africa, declaring its “disgust” and accusing it of cooperation with Hamas.

“South Africa cooperates with a terrorist group that calls for the destruction of Israel. The people of Gaza are not the enemy of Israel, which is making efforts to limit harm to non-combatants. Israel rejects with disgust the slander spread by South Africa in its request to the UN Supreme Court,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Hayat wrote on social media.

“South Africa’s claim has no basis in fact or law and is a despicable and disrespectful use of the Court. South Africa cooperates with a terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel,” the official of the Israeli Foreign Ministry accuses.

“The terrorist organization Hamas, which commits war crimes, crimes against humanity and attempted genocide on October 7, is responsible for the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, using them as human shields and robbing them of humanitarian aid,” Israel said. .

“Israel adheres to and acts in accordance with international law and directs its military efforts exclusively against the terrorist organization Hamas and other terrorist organizations that cooperate with Hamas. Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy and is making every effort to limit the damage caused to civilians and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” Lior Hayat reiterated.

“We appeal to the UN International Court of Justice and the international community to completely reject South Africa’s baseless claims,” ​​concluded the representative of the Israeli Foreign Ministry.