South Africa calls Israel’s leaders ‘genocidal inciters’ at ICJ case opening
“The intent to destroy Gaza has been nurtured at the highest level of state,” Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, advocate of the High Court of South Africa, told the court. He called Israel’s political and military leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “genocidal inciters,” adding that Israel’s intentions are “evident from the way in which this military attack is being conducted.”
Israel responded by accusing South Africa of operating as the “legal arm” of Hamas, with the Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson describing the case as “one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history.”
UN international court hears South Africa's genocide case against Israel
Coverage| ICJ Opens Hearing on South Africa’s Genocide Case against ‘Israel’
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings in The Hague got underway, as the 15 permanent judges plus two ad hoc judges from South Africa and the Zionist entity entered the courtroom in the Palace of Peace.
The ICJ’s President Judge Joan Donoghue swore in both ad hoc judges, and read out the allegations made by South Africa in its application against ‘Israel’ under the Genocide Convention.
A court registrar then reads out the provisional measures South Africa has requested the court to order against Israel, including ordering it to “take no steps in furtherance of its military operation” and “desist from the commission of any and all acts in under the scope of Article II of the genocide convention.”
Israel Has Crossed the Line
South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told the ICJ that Palestinian people have suffered at the hands of ‘Israel’ since 1948.