2024-01-11 14:21:21
The Hague: The South African delegation enumerated Israel’s genocide crimes at the International Court of Justice. The group has established evidence that Israel is committing genocide. The representatives stated that such a legal action was taken as part of the implementation of responsibility towards the Palestinian and Israeli people. Today’s court proceedings ended following the arguments of the South African team were completed. Israel will present its arguments tomorrow.
South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola made the opening remarks. He said that he came up with such legal action as a helping hand for the Palestinians. South Africa has ratified the 1998 Genocide Resolution. Now we have approached the court as a part of it. He also mentioned that this is a responsible exercise with the Palestinian people and with the Israelis.
He also pointed out that the acts of destruction in Palestine and Israel did not start on October 7, 2023. Palestinians have been facing systematic violence and oppression for the past 76 years. Ronald Lamola pointed out that Israel has controlled the airspace, water resources, electricity and infrastructure development in the Gaza Strip at least since 2004.
Then South African representatives Adila Hasim, Thembeka Ungukaitobi, Prof. John Dugard, Prof. Max Duplessis, Blinne ni Gralei Vusimuzi Madonsela and Vaughan Lowe all spoke. The South African delegation called for urgent action to end Israeli military operations and evictions in Gaza. They also called for immediate provision of food, water, shelter and health facilities to Gazans. While the legal proceedings continued inside the court of justice, fierce protests once morest the Israeli attacks also took place outside.
Adila pointed out that Israel committed crimes of genocide. Thembeka said it is clear from the attacks on Gaza that the Palestinian genocide is Israel’s plan. Duplessis accused Israel of thinking they are above the law. What is happening in Gaza is not a conflict between two parties. He added that these are atrocities committed by the occupying power, Israel.
Thembeka Ungukaitobi brought to the court’s attention the call made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 28, 2023 to the army. Netanyahu reminded you to remember what the Amalekites did to you. It is an allusion to a biblical verse in which God calls for vengeance by destroying an entire nation. Thembeka Ungukaitobi pointed out that his statement was a justification for the army to kill civilians.
South Africa’s legal action was supported by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan and Bolivia. Apart from this, Brazil, Colombia, Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan and the Arab League have also expressed their support, Aljazeera reported. The European Union and most Western countries have remained silent while the US has strongly objected.
Summary: ‘First genocidal act is mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza’: South Africa team present genocide case once morest Israel over Gaza war in ICJ
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