Accused of committing genocide in opposition to Palestinians, Israel deliberate to defend its conflict in Gaza in entrance of the United Nations’ highest court docket Friday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the allegations as hypocrisy that screams to the heavens.
Israel, which was based within the aftermath of the Holocaust, has vehemently denied the accusations introduced by South Africa in one of many largest circumstances ever to return earlier than a global court docket. South African legal professionals requested the court docket Thursday to order a right away halt to Israeli army operations within the besieged coastal territory that’s dwelling to 2.3 million Palestinians.
Israel typically boycotts worldwide tribunals and U.N. investigations, saying they’re unfair and biased. However, in an indication of how critically they regard the case, Israeli leaders have taken the uncommon step of sending a authorized workforce and fascinating with the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice to defend their fame.
South African legal professionals argued that the conflict is a part of a long time of Israeli oppression of Palestinians.
“The dimensions of destruction in Gaza, the focusing on of household houses and civilians, the conflict being a conflict on kids all clarify that genocidal intent is each understood and has been put into apply. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life,” lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi mentioned in opening statements Thursday.
The case’s distinctive function was the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech all through each sphere of the state in Israel, he mentioned.
“That is an upside-down world, the state of Israel is accused of genocide whereas it’s preventing genocide,” Netanyahu mentioned Thursday in a video assertion. “The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens.”
The case strikes on the coronary heart of Israel’s nationwide id and goes to the core of one of many world’s most intractable conflicts.
Greater than 23,000 individuals in Gaza have died in the course of the army marketing campaign, based on the Well being Ministry within the territory, which is run by Hamas. “Nothing will cease the struggling besides an order from this court docket,” South African lawyer Adila Hassim instructed the judges in a packed room of the Peace Palace in The Hague.
A call on South Africa’s request for provisional measures will most likely take weeks. The complete case is prone to final years.
The White Home declined to touch upon the way it would possibly reply if the court docket determines Israel dedicated genocide. However Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson John Kirby known as the allegations unfounded. “That is not a phrase that must be thrown round evenly, and we definitely do not imagine that it applies right here,” Kirby mentioned.
Israel says it’s battling a fierce enemy that carried out the deadliest assault on its territory for the reason that nation was based in 1948. Israeli leaders insist they’re following worldwide regulation and doing their utmost to keep away from hurt to civilians. Israel blames Hamas for the excessive demise toll, saying the militants function in residential areas.
In a submit on X after the listening to, Israeli International Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat known as South Africa’s presentation one of many best reveals of hypocrisy and referred to the authorized workforce as Hamas’ representatives in court docket. He mentioned South African legal professionals distorted the fact in Gaza by a sequence of baseless and false claims. He didn’t elaborate.
South Africa sought to broaden the case past the Israel-Hamas conflict. “The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel didn’t start on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinians have skilled systematic oppression and violence for the final 76 years,” mentioned South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.
“Moms, fathers, kids, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins are sometimes all killed collectively. This killing is nothing in need of destruction of Palestinian life. It’s inflicted intentionally. Nobody is spared. Not even new child infants,” mentioned South African lawyer Hassim.
