The Republic of South Africa has requested an urgent injunction from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to find that Israel has violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention with its military action against the Palestinian extremist group Hamas in Gaza, the Hague Court and South African International Relations said. and Ministry of Cooperation on Friday.
South Africa is deeply concerned about the situation of civilians in Gaza affected by Israeli attacks, who are being subjected to indiscriminate violence. There are constant reports of crimes against humanity and war crimes being committed in the region
– is stated in the ministry’s press release.
The lawsuit called on the court to issue a temporary order for Israel to suspend military operations in Gaza.
As a state party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, South Africa has a contractual obligation to prevent genocide
– drew attention to the ministry.
In early November, South Africa announced that it was recalling its diplomats from Israel due to the growing number of civilian casualties in the war with Hamas.
Five years ago, in 2018, the African state recalled its ambassador from Israel in response to the decision to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The embassy was downgraded to a liaison office and has since been run by a small, lower-level diplomatic staff.