The International Court of Justice will hear South Africa’s request for adjustments in the ‘Israel genocide’ case this week.
ICJ confirms dates for ‘Israel genocide’ public hearings
From Thursday, 16 May 2024, the ICJ will hold a two-day public hearing at the Peace Palace in The Hague concerning South Africa’s request for additional provisional measures in its case against Israel.
The hearings come in response to a plea filed by South Africa on Friday, 10 May 2024, seeking urgent orders to protect the Palestinian population in Gaza from alleged violations of their rights under the Genocide Convention.
This follows an initial application by South Africa on 29 December 2023, which accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The hearings aim to address South Africa’s call for immediate action to prevent further harm to Palestinians.
Additional measures South Africa is expected to plea for
South Africa’s recent application to the ICJ includes requests for several urgent provisional measures.
These include an immediate cessation of Israel’s military offensive in the Rafah Governorate, which has significantly escalated in recent months.
South Africa also demands unimpeded access to Gaza for United Nations officials and other humanitarian aid providers, as well as fact-finding missions and journalists.
This access is crucial for assessing and recording conditions on the ground and ensuring the preservation of evidence.
Additionally, South Africa requests that Israel submit an open report to the Court detailing the measures taken to comply with these provisional orders within specified timeframes.
Timeline of events in South Africa’s ‘Israel genocide’ case
The timeline of South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ has seen several significant developments.
On 29 December 2023, South Africa initiated proceedings against Israel, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.
The initial application included a request for provisional measures to protect Palestinian rights.
On 26 January 2024, the ICJ delivered its first order on these provisional measures, followed by a decision on additional measures requested by South Africa on 16 February 2024.
A further request for additional measures led to another ICJ order on 28 March 2024.
Most recently, on 10 May 2024, South Africa returned to the ICJ, seeking urgent protection for Palestinians in light of the intensified military actions in Rafah.
The South African government has expressed grave concerns about the situation in Gaza, emphasising the dire impact of the ongoing military assault on humanitarian conditions and basic services.
The recent escalation has severely affected the survival of Palestinians in Gaza, with Israel’s control over crossings like Rafah and Kerem Shalom cutting off essential supplies and medical evacuations.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the international community to take action against what he describes as genocide in Gaza.
“We call on the international community, including the allies of the State of Israel, not to turn a blind eye to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The gross human rights violations perpetuated by Israel have scaled to incomprehensible levels of cruelty, hate and extreme violent oppression. The world must do more to end the persecution of Palestinians, including that of many innocent women and children,” the president said.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the growing global support for Palestine, as evidenced by recent protest actions and a United Nations General Assembly resolution recommending Palestine’s full membership in the UN.
“The support to this resolution shown by 143 countries is a further demonstration that the world is listening to the cries of the Palestinians,” he said.
