Some judges on the International Court of Justice presidium openly dozed off as the Israeli delegation spoke Friday at South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel over alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip.
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On January 11-12, the International Court of Justice in The Hague held hearings on South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel, which is accused of violating the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip.
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On Friday, the Israeli delegation, led by British lawyer Malcolm Shaw, spoke at the meeting. During his speech, two judges from the presidium of the UN court dozed off briefly.
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During its speech, Israel tried to provide evidence why the court should reject South Africa’s request for measures against the Israeli side, including ending the military operation in the Gaza Strip. As one of the representatives of the delegation, lawyer Tal Becker, said, South Africa’s request is “an attempt to deny Israel the right to protect citizens.” As for the operation in Gaza, with its help, according to him, Israel seeks “not to destroy the Palestinian people, but protect yours.” Israel also says it has allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, including food trucks, and there have been no restrictions on the amount of water that can flow into the area.
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The South African delegation spoke at the meeting on Thursday. In its speech, South Africa called on the court to order Israel to end its military operation in Gaza, ensure its residents have access to food, water and humanitarian aid and not impede the access of international missions to Gaza. The South African side also asks the court to oblige Israel to refrain from any actions that could worsen the situation and complicate the trial. The South African delegation, which consists of more than 20 people, was headed by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of this country, Ronald Lamola.
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On December 29, South Africa filed a case against Israel under the genocide convention at the International Court of Justice in The Hague over the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on the court to take provisional measures against the Israeli authorities.
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South Africa pointed out that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are a “violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention.”
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According to the African country’s statement, “Israel’s actions and inactions… are in the nature of genocide, as they are committed with the specific intent… to destroy the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.”
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After this, the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that South Africa’s claim has no factual basis and is an exploitation of the court, and Pretoria is collaborating with “terrorists.”
