January 11 - South Africa says Israel aims at 'destruction of Palestinian life'

South Africa's Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola delivers remarks to journalists outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after the first day of hearings on the genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa, in The Hague on January 11, 2024. REMKO DE WAAL / AFP

Jan 11, 2024. Posted by  Balkan Periscope - Hellas

South Africa on Thursday, January 11, accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention,

 saying that even the October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions. Pretoria has lodged an urgent appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. Israel has dismissed the case as "atrocious" and "preposterous."

 "No armed attack on a state territory no matter how serious... can provide justification for or defend breaches of the convention," said Pretoria's Justice Minister Ronald Lamola. "Israel's response to the October 7 attack has crossed this line and given rise to the breaches of the convention," he added, setting out South Africa's case at the ICJ.

 Israel responded by accusing South Africa of serving as the "legal arm" of Hamas militants, as lawyers presented Pretoria's "genocide" case against Israel at the UN's top court. Foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat described South Africa's case over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip as "one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history."

South Africa argues Israel is breaking its commitments under the UN Genocide Convention, a treaty signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. Top lawyer for South Africa Adila Hassim said Israel's bombing campaign aimed at the "destruction of Palestinian life" and had pushed Palestinians "to the brink of famine". "Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts," she said.

 

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as judges hear a request for emergency measures to order Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza, in The Hague, Netherlands January 11, 2024. THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS

South Africa's Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola (R) delivers remarks to journalists outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after the first day of hearingd on the genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa, in The Hague on January 11, 2024. REMKO DE WAAL / AFP

As a fellow signatory to the treaty, South Africa can take Israel to the ICJ, which rules on disputes between countries and is often described as the "World Court."

 The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own struggle against the white-minority government, which had cooperative relations with Israel. South Africa has acknowledged the "particular weight of responsibility" of accusing Israel of genocide. It has "unequivocally" condemned the Hamas attacks that touched off the war in Gaza.

 

US says charges 'unfounded'

Israel will present its own arguments Friday but President Isaac Herzog has already hinted at his country's likely defense. "There's nothing more atrocious and preposterous than this claim," said Herzog. "We will present proudly our case of using self defense... under international humanitarian law," he said. Herzog said the Israeli army was "doing its utmost under extremely complicated circumstances on the ground to make sure that there will be no unintended consequences and no civilian casualties."

  The United States is backing its ally Israel, with the State Department describing the charges as "unfounded." "In fact, it is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews," said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

 

Le Monde

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