JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: South Africa has formally submitted evidence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
According to AFP this submission, made public by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, claims that Israel has violated the Genocide Convention by systematically promoting the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The detailed document, referred to as a “memorial,” comprises over 750 pages, supported by an extensive array of exhibits and annexes totaling more than 4,000 pages.
The presidency stated that the evidence demonstrates Israel’s intent to commit genocide and its failure to prevent incitement and to punish those involved in genocidal acts.
This accusation comes in the wake of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, a majority of whom are civilians, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in the region. The military actions were initiated following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people in Israel.
Several countries, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkiye, Chile, and Libya, have supported South Africa’s case against Israel.
Although ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court lacks enforcement mechanisms, raising questions about the effectiveness of such actions in international law. Israel has vehemently denied the accusations, framing the conflict as a necessary response to terrorism.
The ramifications of this case may influence diplomatic relations and discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on a global scale.
