Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
03 January 2023 | 18:37 CAT

President Cyril Ramaphosa with the delegates of Organisations supporting the Liberation of Palestine at Chief Albert Luthuli House on December 18, 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images via Getty Images

South Africa launched a case on Friday at the United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks — the first such challenge made at the court over the current war.

South Africa’s submission to the International Court of Justice alleges that “acts and omissions by Israel … are genocidal in character” as they are committed with the intent “to destroy Palestinians in Gaza” as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.

The South African government has expressed deep concerns regarding the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip, citing the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants.

South Africa has been a fierce critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Many there, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israel’s policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africa’s past apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel rejects such allegations.

South Africa asked The Hague-based court to issue an interim order for Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza immediately. A hearing into that request is likely in the coming days or weeks. If the case goes ahead, it will take years, but an interim order could be issued within weeks.

“In its application, South Africa has listed luminous instances of what it considered been violations of the genocide convention,” Professor in International Law at the University of Johannesburg, Hennie Strydom, told Radio Islam International.

Prof Strydom highlighted another important aspect of the application that South Africa wants in the interim measures: the court grants an order to protect the civilians.

South Africa can bring the case under the Genocide Convention because both it and Israel are signatories to it.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.