South Africa has presented compelling evidence at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to support its genocide case against Israel, claiming that Israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. The evidence, according to South Africa, highlights Israel’s intent to depopulate the region through mass killings and forced displacement.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, speaking in Pretoria on Tuesday, stated that the evidence clearly demonstrates Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza. “The evidence shows that Israel’s acts are intentional, aimed at the physical destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Lamola said. He added that these acts include not only the direct killing of civilians but also the systematic deprivation of essential humanitarian aid, creating conditions that threaten the survival of Gaza’s population.
South Africa’s memorial to the ICJ, presented on October 28, outlines how Israel continues to violate the 1948 Genocide Convention, which aims to prevent the destruction of national, ethnical, racial, or religious groups. The evidence suggests that Israel is deliberately fostering conditions that endanger the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, thereby fulfilling the criteria for genocide under international law.
Lamola also criticized Israel for ignoring ICJ provisional measures, which were designed to prevent further escalation of violence and protect civilian lives. “Israel’s failure to act, its incitement to genocide, and its continued offensive against Gaza clearly show a disregard for international law,” Lamola stated. He called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and fulfill its duty to prevent and punish genocide.
The South African Foreign Minister further condemned the spread of disinformation surrounding the case, accusing Israel and its supporters of attempting to divert attention from the ongoing genocide in Gaza. “We cannot allow the world to be distracted from the suffering and destruction that is unfolding right now in Gaza,” Lamola said.
South Africa has long been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, drawing on its own experience with apartheid and colonialism to champion the Palestinian cause. “Our stance on Palestine is rooted in our commitment to international law and human rights, and in the fight to prevent future generations from suffering the horrors of war,” Lamola emphasized.
The genocide case was filed by South Africa in late 2023, accusing Israel of breaching its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention amid its ongoing bombardment of Gaza since October. South Africa has been joined in the case by several other countries, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia. Public hearings on the case began in January 2024.
In May, the ICJ issued its third set of preliminary orders, urging Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, a southern city in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has been particularly severe. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 44,000, with widespread destruction and displacement of civilians.
As the case progresses, international attention continues to focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with calls for greater international intervention to protect civilians and ensure accountability for violations of international law.
