ISTANBUL: Over 1,000 popular movements, political parties, unions, and various organizations worldwide have rallied in support of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The joint statement urged other nations to strengthen this complaint by filing a Declaration of Intervention with the ICJ. The organizations expressed deep concern over Israel’s alleged genocidal actions, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza, calling for immediate international intervention.
The statement highlighted that Israeli forces have reportedly targeted hospitals, residences, UN refugee centers, schools, places of worship, and escape routes, resulting in casualties among Palestinians, with a significant number being women and children. The signatories endorsed South Africa’s argument that these actions constitute genocide under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The urgency of the situation is emphasized, with the statement pointing out that parties to the Genocide Convention have a responsibility to prevent genocide. Filing Declarations of Intervention in support of South Africa’s case is presented as a crucial step to halt acts of genocide and hold those responsible accountable.
The statement concluded by asserting that Israel’s actions, including killing, injuring, traumatizing, and displacing innocent Palestinians, meet the criteria for the crime of genocide. It calls on national governments worldwide to swiftly file Declarations of Intervention in support of South Africa’s case at the ICJ.
Signatories include Nahostgruppe Mannheim (Germany), Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination (US), Islamic Human Rights Commission (UK), Israelis Against Apartheid (Israel), Jordanian Federation of Independent Trade Unions, Mediciana Democratica (Italy), Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism, One Justice (France), South African Jews for a Free Palestine, and the International Iraqi Women’s Assembly.
In a historic development, the ICJ at The Hague initiated its inaugural session on South Africa’s genocide allegations against Israel, garnering extensive global support while facing opposition from countries such as the US and UK.
