South Africa approaches World Court over Israel again
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa has again again approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ask for additional emergency measures in its Gaza genocide case.
In papers filed at The Hague, it said time is running out “to save the Palestinian people in Gaza already dying of starvation”.
It wants the court to order an immediate halt to Israel’s operations in disputed Gaza, and to ensure food that aid gets in. It noted that Israel is in contempt of the ICJ's previous order. The court last month declined South Africa's first request for additional emergency measures, which it had filed based on Israel's planned assault on Rafah.
“Palestinian children are starving to death as a direct result of the deliberate acts and omissions of Israel – in violation of the Genocide Convention and of the court's order," South Africa said in its papers which were filed on Wednesday.
South Africa’s case at the ICJ has received worldwide support. On 29 December, it filed an urgent application at the ICJ urging it to declare on an urgent basis that Israel is in breach of its obligations “in terms of the Genocide Convention, should immediately cease all acts and measures in breach of those obligations and take a number of related actions”.
South Africa’s top lawyers in January told the ICJ that Israel’s Gaza onslaught amounted to a “pattern of genocidal conduct which falls within the Genocide Convention’s provisions”.
The delegation led by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola argued that Israel has genocidal intent in Palestine and asked the court to order six specific actions to end the carnage. These include ending military action, stopping the killing, opening up humanitarian corridors to prevent a coming famine and allowing the free and safe birth of Palestinian babies.
-0- PANA CU/MA 7March2024
