Everything You Need to Know about South Africa’s ICJ Case against Israel – BLOG & RESOURCES

January 11, 2024 Blog, News
South Africa's case against Israel was held in The Hague. (Image: Palestine Chronicle)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding on Thursday its first hearing in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

In a statement on December 29, the ICJ said that South Africa had requested the Court’s intervention to examine evidence of “alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”.

The hearing will be live-streamed on UN WEB TV

LATEST UPDATES

Friday, January 12, 3:30 pm (GMT+2)

ISLAMIC RESISTANCE IN IRAQ: “We attacked at dawn today, Friday, with appropriate weapons, a vital target in the occupied city of Eilat.”

AL-JAZEERA: The communications network and the Internet were cut off today, Friday, in large areas in the Gaza Strip, as a result of the violent Israeli bombing.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent raids on residential neighborhoods west and south of Gaza City.

AL-JAZEERA: Air rescue unit continues to evacuate wounded Israeli occupation soldiers from battles in the central Gaza Strip.

OIL TANKER ASSOCIATION: The Oil Tanker Association asked all ships to stay away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait because the threat to shipping operations could last for days.

Friday, January 12, 3:30 pm (GMT+2)

The legal think tank Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention said there is ‘overwhelming evidence’ of genocidal intent.

Friday, January 12, 2:30 pm (GMT+2)

Israel has rejected as false the accusations of genocide brought by South Africa at the ICJ.

‘This is Not Genocide’ – Israel Denies South Africa’s Accusations at ICJ

Thursday, January 11, 2:30 pm (GMT+2)

The hearing is now adjourned.

Thursday, January 11, 2:20 pm (GMT+2)

SA AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS VUSIMUZI MADONSELA:

The consequences of not indicating clear and specific provisional measures and not taking steps to intervene while Israel disregards its international obligations before our eyes would, we fear, be very grave indeed.

Thursday, January 11, 2:10 pm (GMT+2)

BRITISH BARRISTER VAUGHAN LOWE:

South Africa’s case has met the ICJ’s requirements.

As the court will understand, Hamas is not a state and cannot be a party to the Genocide Convention and cannot be a party to these proceedings.

There are other bodies and processes that can address the questions of steps to be taken with respect to past atrocities against other actors.

As a matter of law under the convention, South Africa cannot request an order from this court against Hamas.

Thursday, January 11, 2:10 pm (GMT+2)

BRITISH BARRISTER VAUGHAN LOWE:

Nothing can ever justify genocide no matter how great the threat to Israeli security may be.

This is not a moment for the court to sit back and be silent.

Thursday, January 11, 1:40 pm (GMT+2)

BLINNE NI GRALAIGH:

The very reputation of international law hangs in the balance.

This is the first genocide in history where the victims are broadcasting their own destruction.

There is no safe place in Gaza and the world should be ashamed.

Thursday, January 11, 1:15 pm (GMT+2)

PROFESSOR MAX DU PLESSIS:

Palestinians in Gaza, as a very substantial and important part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group, are entitled to exist.

What is happening in Gaza now is not correctly framed as a simple conflict between two parties.

It entails destructive acts perpetrated by an occupying power, Israel, that has subjected the Palestinian people to an oppressive and prolonged violation of their rights to self-determination for decades.

Those violations occur in a world where Israel, for years, considered itself as beyond and above the law.

Thursday, January 11, 1:00 pm (GMT+2)

Speaking to The Palestine Chronicle, Professor Triestino Mariniello told us that the case filed by South Africa is particularly solid and compelling, especially in proving all elements of genocide, including the mental element.

Thursday, January 11, 12:40 pm (GMT+2)

PROFESSOR JOHN DUGARD:

Obligations under the Genocide Convention are “erga omnes, obligations owed to the international community as a whole”.

“State parties to this convention are obliged not only to desist from genocidal acts but also to prevent them.”

Thursday, January 11, 12:30 pm (GMT+2)

ANADOLU: Iran backs South Africa’s Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ.

Thursday, January 11, 12:20 pm (GMT+2)

ADVOCATE TEMBEKA NGCUKAITOBI: The evidence of genocidal intent is not only chilling but also overwhelming and incontrovertible.

Thursday, January 11, 12:00 pm (GMT+2)

ADVOCATE TEMBEKA NGCUKAITOBI:

South Africa is not alone in judging Israel’s genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians.

As we stand today, 1 percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza has been decimated.

There is an extraordinary element here: Israel’s political leader, military commanders and officials have systematically declared their genocidal intent.

These statements are being repeated by Israeli soldiers in Gaza.

Israel’s genocidal intent is rooted in the idea that the enemy is not the military wing of Hamas or Hamas in general, but is embedded in the fabric of Palestinian life in Gaza.

Thursday, January 11, 11:45 am (GMT+2)

ADILA HASSIM:

“This is a case that underscores the very essence of our shared humanity as expressed in the preamble to the Genocide Convention.”

Major violations:

Mass killing, in violation of Article 2A

Destruction of the healthcare system, in violation of Article 2B

Forced displacement of about 85 percent of Palestinians in Gaza

Mass destruction: There is no indication at all that Israel will take responsibility. Instead, the destruction is celebrated by the Israeli Army.

Widespread hunger, dehydration and starvation.

Reproductive violence inflicted by Israel on Palestinian women and newborn babies.

Thursday, January 11, 11:20 am (GMT+2)

SOUTH AFRICA JUSTICE MINISTER RONALD LAMOLA:

The violence and the destruction did not begin on October 7. The Palestinians have experienced oppression for the last 75 years.

In extending our hands … to the people of Palestine, we do so in full knowledge that we are part of a humanity.

These were the words of our founding president Nelson Mandela, this is the spirit in which SA acceded to the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide in 1998.

This is the spirit in which we approach this court as a contracting party to the convention. This is a commitment to all, to the people of Palestine and Israelis alike.

SA AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS VUSIMUZI MADONSELA:

In our application, South Africa has acknowledged the ongoing Nakba of the Palestinian people through Israel’s colonization since 1948.

South Africa acknowledges the regime of systematic discrimination and apartheid.

South Africa acknowledged the crimes perpetrated by Israel in total impunity for decades.

Thursday, January 11, 11:15 am (GMT+2)

The registrar read South Africa’s case against Israel. The first point is that Israel should immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. There is a total of nine points.

Thursday, January 11, 9:00 am (GMT+2)

A small group of pro-Palestine demonstrators have gathered in The Hague with the hearings into South Africa’s case to start shortly.

What You Must Know about the ICJ Case against Israel – Intl. Law Expert Explains

Thursday, January 11, 9:00 am (GMT+2)

AXIOS: Israel’s Foreign Ministry instructed its embassies to pressure diplomats and politicians to issue statements against South Africa’s ICJ case, according to a report by Axios.

Thursday, January 11, 7:00 am (GMT+2)

List of countries who will support South Africa’s case:

  • OIC (Organization of Islamic countries)
  • Malaysia
  • Turkiye
  • Jordan
  • Colombia
  • Bolivia
  • Maldives
  • Namibia
  • Brazil
  • Pakistan
  • Colombia

Thursday, January 11, 7:00 am (GMT+2)

Colombia and Brazil’s foreign ministries announced in separate statements that their governments support South Africa’s historic case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

RESOURCES

‘This is Not Genocide’ – Israel Denies South Africa’s Accusations at ICJ

‘This is Not Genocide’ – Israel Denies South Africa’s Accusations at ICJ

‘Chance for Court to Halt Genocide in Gaza’ – South Africa’s Justice Minister

‘Chance for Court to Halt Genocide in Gaza’ – South Africa’s Justice Minister

South Africa Argues ‘Genocidal Intent’ by Israel in Gaza

Everything You Need to Know about South Africa’s ICJ Case against Israel – LIVE BLOG & RESOURCES

 

Israel Faces Justice in The Hague – These are the Possible Scenarios

Israel Faces Justice in The Hague – These are the Possible Scenarios

ICC ‘Too Slow’ in Prosecuting Israel for Gaza War Crimes – UN Officials

ICC ‘Too Slow’ in Prosecuting Israel for Gaza War Crimes – UN Officials

‘Israel is Starving Gaza’- Rights Group, B’Tselem

‘Israel is Starving Gaza’- Rights Group, B’Tselem

‘Generation of Orphans’ – King Abdullah Talks about Israel’s Dehumanization in Gaza

‘Generation of Orphans’ – King Abdullah Talks about Israel’s Dehumanization in Gaza

100 Chilean Lawyers Lodge ICC Case against Netanyahu for Gaza War Crimes

100 Chilean Lawyers Lodge ICC Case against Netanyahu for Gaza War Crimes

‘We Must Take Action’ – Will European Countries Join South Africa’s Case against Israel?

‘We Must Take Action’ – Will European Countries Join South Africa’s Case against Israel?

South Africa’s ICJ Case Against Israel Backed by Over 1,000 Organizations

South Africa’s ICJ Case Against Israel Backed by Over 1,000 Organizations

ICC Confirms Probe into Israel’s Killing of Journalists – Reporters Without Borders

ICC Confirms Probe into Israel’s Killing of Journalists – Reporters Without Borders

From Gaza to Congo: How Palestinians Became Victims of Zionist History

From Gaza to Congo: How Palestinians Became Victims of Zionist History

‘Transported in Cages’ – Shocking Details of How Israel Treats Female Gaza Prisoners

‘Transported in Cages’ – Shocking Details of How Israel Treats Female Gaza Prisoners

‘South Africa Determined to Stop Israel’s Gaza Genocide’ – Justice Minister

‘South Africa Determined to Stop Israel’s Gaza Genocide’ – Justice Minister

‘Stop Pressuring the ICJ’ – Main Points from Hamas Press Conference in Beirut Today

‘Stop Pressuring the ICJ’ – Main Points from Hamas Press Conference in Beirut Today

‘International Law on Trial as much as Israel’ – Irish MEPs Join Rally at ICJ

‘International Law on Trial as much as Israel’ – Irish MEPs Join Rally at ICJ

‘Tantamount to Ethnic Cleansing’ – Scotland’s First Minister Slams Israeli Calls for Resettlement of Gazans

‘Tantamount to Ethnic Cleansing’ – Scotland’s First Minister Slams Israeli Calls for Resettlement of Gazans

(The Palestine Chronicle)

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