South Africa has accused Israel of having “genocidal intent” on the first day of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The accusation is part of South Africa’s case against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israel’s defense Tal Becker responded to the accusations on 12 December 2024.
Israel’s defence at ICJ over South Africa’s accusations
According to eNCA, Israel denies South Africa’s genocide accusation at the International Court of Justice, with Tal Becker calling the accusations “profoundly distorted” and “malevolent”. He went on to say that the case South Africa has “regrettably put before the court a profoundly distorted factual and legal picture,” before he emphasised that Israel’s actions aim at self-defence against Hamas, not the Palestinian people.
Becker proceeded to use audio, pictures and videos depicting the horrific acts Hamas engaged in on 07 October 2023 to prove self-defence.
Despite what the numbers show, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemn the accusation. Calling it unfounded and claiming it reflects a distorted view. The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval by stating:
“A terrorist organisation carried out the worst crime against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and now someone comes to defend it in the name of the Holocaust? What brazen gall. The world is upside down.”
Tembeka Ngcukaitobi addressed ICJ on Day
Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, advocate of the High Court of South Africa made a damning statement during the proceedings, one that has rippled across the world. Live in the ICJ hearing, he asserted:
“Israel has a genocidal intent against the Palestinians in Gaza. That is evident from the way in which this military attack is being conducted.”
Ngcukaitobi argued that this intent goes beyond targeting the militant group Hamas and is deeply embedded in Palestinian life in Gaza.
South Africa urges Israel to suspend progression into Gaza
South Africa at the ICJ seeks an emergency suspension of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Advocate Adila Hassim emphasised that Israel’s actions have violated Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, citing a systematic pattern of conduct from which genocide can be inferred.
Genocide Convention Act violated
The Genocide Convention of 1948 defines genocide as “acts committed with the intent to destroy in whole or in part. Either a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.” South Africa’s legal team not only pointed out the history of the area but also pointed to Israel’s sustained bombing campaign which has gotten criticism from diplomats. In addition, according to Gaza health authorities, has resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 people in the densely populated Gaza Strip.