South Africa's case against Israel for the 'crime of genocide' in Palestinian Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is being heard today. The public hearing of the case will begin on Thursday (January 11) in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICJ announced the hearing date in a statement published on social media X on Wednesday (January 3). The hearing will end on Friday (January 12).
Brazil recently supported this case. The country's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed support during a meeting with the Palestinian ambassador on Wednesday (January 10). Through this, a total of 13 countries have so far supported South Africa in the Gaza genocide case. Earlier, Malaysia, Turkey, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Maldives, Venezuela, Namibia, Jordan, Morocco, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia supported the case.
A statement from Brazil's foreign ministry said, "In the light of the clear violations of international humanitarian law, the President expressed his support for South Africa's initiative to call on the International Court of Justice to immediately stop all actions that may amount to genocide or crimes under the terms of the United Nations Genocide Convention."
Meanwhile, the public hearing of the case is starting from The Hague in the Netherlands. Over the next two days, the court will hear arguments from both sides and then decide whether to issue an interim order to stop Israel's bombing of Gaza. South Africa filed this case late last month (December 29) for the "crime of genocide" in Gaza. However, Israel rejected the case in the UN court.
What analysts are saying about the case?
Clayson Moniella, spokesman for South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said the ongoing genocide in Gaza is accompanied by crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as activities defined as crimes under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention of Genocide and Peace. News has been received.'
Legal experts said the entire case could take years to prove that Israel is responsible for the genocide, but this week's hearing is a necessary step toward swifter sanctions against Israel.
Gerhard Kemp, professor of South African law at the University of the West of England in Bristol, said there is a historical reason why South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause has lasted. The Palestinian people have a long-standing relationship with South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress, due to the Palestinian liberation movement. Therefore, South Africa's leadership in bringing Israel before the ICJ has historical significance.