The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding on Thursday its first hearing in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
In a statement on December 29, the ICJ said that South Africa had requested the Court’s intervention to examine evidence of “alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip”.
The hearing will be live-streamed on UN WEB TV
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Thursday, January 11, 12:00 pm (GMT+2)
ADVOCATE TEMBEKA NGCUKAITOBI:
South Africa is not alone in judging Israel’s genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians.
As we stand today, 1 percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza has been decimated.
There is an extraordinary element here: Israel’s political leader, military commanders and officials have systematically declared their genocidal intent.
These statements are being repeated by Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
Israel’s genocidal intent is rooted in the idea that the enemy is not the military wing of Hamas or Hamas in general, but is embedded in the fabric of Palestinian life in Gaza.
ADVOCATE TEMBEKA NGCUKAITOBI:
South Africa is not alone in judging Israel’s genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians.
As we stand today, 1 percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza has been decimated.
There is an extraordinary element here: Israel’s political leader,… pic.twitter.com/iAGUQYsxgB
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 11, 2024
Thursday, January 11, 11:45 am (GMT+2)
ADILA HASSIM:
“This is a case that underscores the very essence of our shared humanity as expressed in the preamble to the Genocide Convention.”
Major violations:
Mass killing, in violation of Article 2A
Destruction of the healthcare system, in violation of Article 2B
Forced displacement of about 85 percent of Palestinians in Gaza
Mass destruction: There is no indication at all that Israel will take responsibility. Instead, the destruction is celebrated by the Israeli Army.
Widespread hunger, dehydration and starvation.
Reproductive violence inflicted by Israel on Palestinian women and newborn babies.
ADILA HASSIM:
“This is a case that underscores the very essence of our shared humanity as expressed in the preamble to the Genocide Convention.”
Major violations:
Mass killing, in violation of Article 2A
Destruction of the healthcare system, in violation of Article 2B
Forced… pic.twitter.com/hCIeVwuJ4Y
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 11, 2024
Thursday, January 11, 11:20 am (GMT+2)
SOUTH AFRICA JUSTICE MINISTER RONALD LAMOLA:
The violence and the destruction did not begin on October 7. The Palestinians have experienced oppression for the last 75 years.
In extending our hands … to the people of Palestine, we do so in full knowledge that we are part of a humanity.
These were the words of our founding president Nelson Mandela, this is the spirit in which SA acceded to the convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide in 1998.
This is the spirit in which we approach this court as a contracting party to the convention. This is a commitment to all, to the people of Palestine and Israelis alike.
SOUTH AFRICA JUSTICE MINISTER RONALD LAMOLA:
The violence and the destruction did not begin on October 7. The Palestinians have experienced oppression for the last 75 years.
In extending our hands … to the people of Palestine, we do so in full knowledge that we are part of a… pic.twitter.com/8p51DKNIS9
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 11, 2024
SA AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS VUSIMUZI MADONSELA:
In our application, South Africa has acknowledged the ongoing Nakba of the Palestinian people through Israel’s colonization since 1948.
South Africa acknowledges the regime of systematic discrimination and apartheid.
South Africa acknowledged the crimes perpetrated by Israel in total impunity for decades.
The International Court of Justice (#ICJ ) is holding its first hearing in South Africa’s genocide case against #Israel. #SouthAfricavIsrael
FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/sV99X4glq8 pic.twitter.com/WH5kIllxJF
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) January 11, 2024
Thursday, January 11, 11:15 am (GMT+2)
The registrar read South Africa’s case against Israel. The first point is that Israel should immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. There is a total of nine points.
Thursday, January 11, 9:00 am (GMT+2)
A small group of pro-Palestine demonstrators have gathered in The Hague with the hearings into South Africa’s case to start shortly.
What You Must Know about the ICJ Case against Israel – Intl. Law Expert Explains
Thursday, January 11, 9:00 am (GMT+2)
AXIOS: Israel’s Foreign Ministry instructed its embassies to pressure diplomats and politicians to issue statements against South Africa’s ICJ case, according to a report by Axios.
Thursday, January 11, 7:00 am (GMT+2)
List of countries who will support South Africa’s case:
- OIC (Organization of Islamic countries)
- Malaysia
- Turkiye
- Jordan
- Colombia
- Bolivia
- Maldives
- Namibia
- Brazil
- Pakistan
- Colombia
Thursday, January 11, 7:00 am (GMT+2)
Colombia and Brazil’s foreign ministries announced in separate statements that their governments support South Africa’s historic case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
