On Friday, Israel will respond to South Africa’s genocide accusations at the U.N.’s top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa alleges that Israel’s military operation in Gaza constitutes a state-led genocide campaign aimed at eradicating the Palestinian population.
South Africa, which initiated the lawsuit of Israel genocide accusations in December, urged the ICJ on Thursday to implement emergency measures, demanding that Israel immediately cease its offensive. According to Gaza health authorities, the offensive has resulted in the death of over 23,000 people and extensive destruction in the coastal enclave, with South Africa contending that the goal is the “destruction of the population” of Gaza.
Israel has refuted the genocide allegations, dismissing them as unfounded. It asserted that South Africa is acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization seeking the elimination of the Jewish state. Israel maintains that its military operation targets Hamas militants, not Palestinian civilians.
The conflict escalated when Israel launched a comprehensive war in Gaza following a cross-border incident on Oct. 7 involving Hamas militants. Israeli officials reported 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and 240 individuals taken hostage back to Gaza.
The 1948 Genocide Convention, established in response to the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as “acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.”
Since Israel initiated its offensive, nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have experienced displacement at least once, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.
Moreover, post-apartheid South Africa has consistently supported the Palestinian cause. Historical ties were formed during the African National Congress’ struggle against white-minority rule, supported by Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Organisation. Furthermore, South Africa’s advocacy for the Palestinian cause has deep roots in its history.