South Africa's ICJ Genocide Case Against Israel
South Africa v. Israel: The Landmark ➡️ ICJ Genocide Case
Supported by many other nations, South Africa aims to hold Israeli officials accountable for genocidal intent in Israel's war on Hamas and Gaza. The South Africa against the State of Israel proceedings began December 29, 2023 and full hearings were held in The Hague on January 11 and 12, 2024. The case was well presented and will decide whether Israel is in violation of the Genocide Convention for their war crimes and atrocities against Palestinian people.
The genocide case is a historical step in international law which could set a precedent for other atrocities and also have far-reaching implications for those who have committed serious war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Also for any states who are complicit with it. Israel has denied all allegations including genocidal intent and accuses South Africa of serious misinterpretation and cooperating with terrorist organisation Hamas.
South Africa has a special connection to the situation in Gaza as it draws on its own history of overcoming apartheid. Drawing worldwide attention, Better World Info hopes that the outcome of this case sparks greater justice and accountability regarding important issues such as war crimes and our international responsibility to prevent genocidal atrocities from happening in the future.
The ICJ ruling on January 26 stated that Israel must take all measures to protect civilians and avoid genocide, but it fell short of ordering a ceasefire. The ruling is a win for justice and the rule of law, but still allows Israel to continue their military operations in Gaza.
“The International Court of Justice has delivered a landmark ruling to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide. Israel is obliged under international law to abide by the Court’s binding judgement and implement all the provisional measures with immediate effect. Israel’s allies, in particular the United States, must also respect the Court’s ruling and refrain from any statements or actions that would undermine the Court’s authority. All parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian law and end the suffering of civilians now. The rule of law must be upheld, always.” - Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
One month after proceedings, Israel was required to report back to the court, this report has not yet been published. As of March, the Republic of Ireland has decided to intervene in proceedings as they denounce the blatant violation of humanitarian law by Israel. This announcement comes as Israel prepares for its ground offense in the city of Rafah, a relative safe haven for Palestinian refugees.
As it stands, Israel is still obstructing the provision of essential humanitarian aid and basic services such as fuel and water. Aid missions and trucks remain severely restricted. These actions have been condemned as a violation of the ICJ ruling and Israel is being accused of using starvation as a weapon of war.
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Author: Rachael Mellor, 15.01.24, updated 31.03.24, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0
For further reading on the ICJ case see below ⬇️
- Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem - ICJ 402949
- Verbatim Record: Public Sitting (South Africa): held on Thursday 11 January 2024, at 10 a.m., at the Peace Palace *.pdf393573
- Verbatim Record: Public Sitting - Israel: held on Thursday 12 January 2024, at 10 a.m., at the Peace Palace *.pdf 393975
- Request for the indication of PROVISIONAL MEASURES - Conclusion of the public hearings held on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 January 2024393976
- ICJ - PROCEEDINGS instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel on 29 December 2023392735
- International Court of Justice - PROCEEDINGS instituted by by South Africa against the State of Israel *.pdf392804
- Organizational Sign-on Letter Calling on States to Support South Africa's Genocide Convention Case Against Israel at the ICJ397289
- URGENT Call from Palestine to States Parties of the Genocide Convention: Support South Africa’s ICJ Suit Against Israel over its Gaza Genocide393114
- South Africa v. Israel (Genocide Convention) - WIKIPEDIA392742
- Allegations of genocide in the 2023 Israeli attack on Gaza - Wikipedia393358
- Law for Palestine Releases Database with 500+ Instances of Israeli Incitement to Genocide – Continuously Updated393716
- Provisional Measure of Protection - Wikipedia393361
- Genocide Convention (1948) - Wikipedia392802
- Genocide Convention - Wikisource392803
- @OxfordDiplomat394647
- #ICJ4Israel392838
- #ICJGenocideConvention395640
- #ProvisionalMeasures395811
- #ICC4Israel394254
- The Amalek - Wikipedia393356
- Ukraine v. Russian Federation (2022) - Wikipedia393715
- Allegations of genocide of Ukrainians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine - Wikipedia393077
- Rohingya Genocide case - The Gambia v. Myanmar (2019) - Wikipedia393357
- Bosnian Genocide case - Bosnia and Herzegovina v Serbia and Montenegro (2007) - Wikipedia393360
- International court of justice - Guardian 393880
- Open Letter from Jews to the German Government & other European Nations: Support South Africa at the World Court-Do Not Aid & Abet Israel’s Genocide in Gaza395873
- The Attainability of the Evidentiary Standard for Genocidal Intent in Gaza - EJIL: Talk 03.05.24410559
- Turkey seeks to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ - Al Jazeera 01.05.24410344
- Eunavfor Aspides and the Ratione Temporis Application of the Right of Self-Defence - EJIL: Talk 24.04.24410558
- A chance for Africa to counter the pitfalls of international criminal justice? - Amnesty International 22.04.24410643
- Israel’s security at core of German foreign policy due to Holocaust, ICJ hears - Guardian 09.04.24406490
- Tweet: Western media is ignoring the fact that Nicaragua has dragged Germany to the ICJ for complicity in genocide. And Nicaragua is doing this brilliantly. Let's make sure w…406769
- (South Africa v. Israel) - Colombia files a declaration of intervention in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute: ICJ Press release - ICJ 05.04.24410113
- Law for Palestine Releases its Communication Submitted to the International Criminal Court: Genocide Perpetration in Gaza by Israeli War Cabinet Members - Law for Palestine 0…407157
- Declaration of Intervention filed by Colombia in Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Is…410112
- Colombia seeks to join Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ - Al Jazeera 05.04.24406123
- Order of 5 April 2024: Fixing of time-limits: Memorial and Counter-Memorial - ICJ 05.04.24410111
- The legal case for imposing embargoes on Israel - Al Jazeera 03.04.24407612
- World court’s ruling spotlights Gaza’s humanitarian crisis: The world cannot stand idly by while innocent Palestinian lives hang in the balance - Gulf News 02.04.24405490
- Tweet: The #SouthAfrica v. #Israel #ICJGenocide ruling fell short of ordering a #Ceasefire - @BetterWorldInfo 01.04.24409159
- Video: Will the ICJ’s latest orders help Palestinians under attack in Gaza? - Al Jazeera 29.03.24404562
- New ICJ ruling ordering ‘unhindered’ aid ‘at scale’ for Gaza is welcomed by Euro-Med Monitor - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor 29.03.24404777
- Comparing the ICJ’s Provisional Measures Orders in South Africa v. Israel - Opinio Juris 29.03.24410774
- World warns Israel to obey ICJ on Gaza aid as Netanyahu plans Rafah assault - Al Jazeera 29.03.24404560
- World court issues fresh measures for Israel as crisis deepens - UN News 28.03.24404620
- ICJ orders Israel to take action to address famine in Gaza - Al Jazeera 28.03.24404617
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Declaration of Judge Yusuf - IC…410105
- Gaza: World court issues fresh measures for Israel as crisis deepens - UN News Centre 28.03.24404776
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Separate opinion of Judge ad ho…410109
- Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) - The Court indicates additional provisiona…410110
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Joint declaration of Judges Xue…410106
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Declaration of President Salam …410104
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Declaration of Judge Nolte - IC…410107
- Observations of the State of Israel on South Africa's Request for the indication of provisional measures and modification of the Court's prior provisional measures decisions …410102
- Are US-South Africa ties at breaking point over Israel’s war on Gaza? - Al Jazeera 28.03.24404566
- Ireland to intervene in South Africa genocide case against Israel at ICJ - Aljazeera 28.03.24404456
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures - ICJ 28.03.24410103
- (South Africa v. Israel) Order of 28 March 2024: Request for the modification of the Order of 26 January 2024 indicating provisional measures, Declaration of Judge Charleswor…410108
- Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) The Court indicates additional provisional …404778
- Report: Israel continues to violate ICJ ruling on Gaza - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor 25.03.24404978
- Israel Is Still Flouting the ICJ’s Genocide Order - Jacobin 20.03.24403446
- Israel bloquea system the humanitaria respuesta pese a la exigencia de la CIJ en el juicio para genecidio - Oxfam 18.03.24405111
- Legal Standard for Genocide Intent: An Uphill Climb for Israel in Gaza Suit - EJIL: Talk 14.03.24410557
- South Africa requests ICJ emergency orders to halt “unspeakable” Gazan genocide - CPNN 11.03.24409233
- Israel’s war on Gaza updates: Israeli strikes kill dozens of Palestinians - Al Jazeera 09.03.24403017
- South Africa Asks ICJ to Help Stop “Imminent Tragedy” in Gaza; Canada to Resume UNRWA Funding - DN! 07.03.24401852
- SA requests ICJ to act to prevent famine in Gaza - South African Government News Agency 07.03.24401652
- South Africa asks ICJ for more measures against Israel over Gaza ‘famine’ - Al Jazeera 06.03.24402588
- The Republic of South Africa submits an urgent request for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of the Court’s prior provisional measures Or…401097
- (South Africa v. Israel) - The Republic of South Africa submits an urgent request for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of the Court’s pr…410101
- Request by South Africa for the indication of provisional measures and modification of the Court's prior provisional measures decisions - ICJ 06.03.24410100
- South Africa asks ICJ to prevent famine - Al Jazeera 06.03.24401203
- On State Responsibility for Complicity in Genocide: Will South Africa’s “All-In Strategy” Be Effective? - EJIL:Talk 05.03.24410556
- The ICJ Case on Israeli Occupation: A Report - Arab Center Washington DC 04.03.24401498
- Tweet: International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan is now a pawn of #US Empire. He went to #Israel to meet victims of Hamas attack but refused to meet victims of Israe…402552
- The Republic of Nicaragua institutes proceedings against the Federal Republic of Germany and requests the Court to indicate provisional measures - International Court of Just…401098
- Application instituting proceedings and request for the indication of provisional measures - International Court of Justice 01.03.24401099
- The limits of international law: the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), Israel and the International Court of Justice - Elcano Royal Institute 01.03.24401478
- Annexes 1-15: Provisional measures, Proceedings instituted by the Republic of Nicaragua against the Federal Republic of Germany - International Court of Justice 01.03.24401100
- Israel, ICJ and the movement for a principled and just world order - Al Jazeera 28.02.24401256
- Germany Opposes Request for ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Policies and Practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory But Also Rejects Israel’s Reaction - German Practice…410592
- Taking War to Court: Israel’s Prosecution of the October 7 Perpetrators - Verfassungsblog 23.02.24410575
- The Legal Limits of Supporting Israel: An overview of the implications of the ICJ Provisional Measures for third-party states - Verfassungsblog 21.02.24410398
- ICJ: Palestine's plea against occupation - Justice Info 20.02.24410675
- What’s the ICJ case against Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine? - Al Jazeera 19.02.24398261
- ICJ to review Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories - DW 19.02.24398257
- Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) Decision of the Court on South Africa’s req…398487
- “Not All Scripts Come with One Voice”: Variations in State Responses to South Africa v Israel - EJIL:Talk 19.02.24410548
- Egypt to make argument before ICJ on Israel's 'illegal practices' against Palestinians - The New Arab 18.02.24398260
- SA welcomes ICJ injunction to protect civilians in Rafah - SA News 18.02.24398258
- South Africa v. Israel: Killer Administration Gets Off Easy - Fair Observer 18.02.24398259
- Israel occupation: ICJ goes to the heart of the “political deadlock" - Justice Info 16.02.24410677
- What Does the ICJ Ruling Mean for Palestinians? - Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung 16.02.24398173
- Press release: Decision of the Court on South Africa’s request for additional provisional measures - ICJ 16.02.24398754
- ICJ demands implementation of Gaza measures, but no new action on Rafah - Al Jazeera 16.02.24398169
- Could the US and other states be implicated in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel? - Atlantic Council 16.02.24398171
- Israel Urges World Court to Reject South Africa Appeal Over Rafah - VOA 15.02.24398170
- Observations of the State of Israel on the request for additional measures under Article 75 (1) of the Rules of Court - ICJ 15.02.24398753
- South Africa’s request to ICJ to prevent an unprecedented massacre in Rafah is welcomed by Euro-Med Monitor - Euro-Med Monitor 14.02.24397907
- Desperate Times, Desperate (Provisional) Measures: Rafah and South Africa’s Latest Action at the ICJ - Verfassungsblog 14.02.24410574