South Africa has taken a bold step toward holding Israel accountable for potential genocide and war crimes committed during its recent attacks on Gaza. In a landmark move, the nation filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 29, 2023, urging the court to intervene and prevent further atrocities.
South Africa’s action stems from deep concern over the plight of Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire of Israeli attacks. Reports of indiscriminate force, forcible displacement, and potential war crimes have fueled outrage and ignited international calls for accountability. South Africa, bound by the Genocide Convention, feels compelled to act.
READ | The Republic of South Africa institutes proceedings against the State of Israel and requests the Court to indicate provisional measures. pic.twitter.com/du9DaHUF0H
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) December 29, 2023“As a State Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, South Africa is under a treaty obligation to prevent genocide from occurring,” the South African government declared in a statement. “Therefore, we have approached the ICJ to obtain an order directing Israel to refrain from any acts that may constitute genocide or related crimes.”
The application seeks urgent action from the ICJ, requesting a formal declaration that Israel is in violation of the Genocide Convention. It further demands an immediate cessation of all actions and measures deemed illegal under the Convention and seeks accountability for past transgressions.
The ICJ’s decision to accept or reject South Africa’s application is still pending.
