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MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

WATCH LIVE — South Africa leads arguments against Israel in genocide case at ICJ

South Africa is arguing before the International Court of Justice that Israel is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention by trying to destroy part of the Palestinian population through its military assault on Gaza.
The International Court of Justice The Peace Palace, seat of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in the Netherlands. (Photo: United Nations / Flickr)
Daily Maverick
By Daily Maverick
11 Jan 2024
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The live stream has ended. Watch our explainer video of South Africa's arguments before the court.

[embed]https://youtu.be/l4G55-Rcb34?si=CTX4zvNeuwzQtL9C[/embed]

Read more about the Israel-Palestine war

Comments

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Michael Bowes Jan 11, 2024, 11:26 AM

South Africa may have forgotten that the Defense has a right to speak. They could find themselves torn to shreds.

Hendrik van Zyl Jan 11, 2024, 12:52 PM

Won't that be a glorious day?

Ben Harper Jan 12, 2024, 06:55 AM

And they will, hopefully they'll also be shown for the hypocrites that they are and embarrassed on the international stage

timgrosstx Jan 11, 2024, 11:53 AM

When can we expect the ANC-led government to bring similar charges against Russia for its genocidal war on Ukraine? Let me guess, never! The hypocrisy is from these Putin lovers is stunning.

quentindp Jan 11, 2024, 12:15 PM

Peak whataboutism

James Francis Jan 11, 2024, 12:35 PM

No, it's not. SA's support for Russia is not only astounding, but it completely strips this publicity stunt from any moral credibility. I don't support Israel's actions, but lets not forget our government has helped Russia continue its murderous regime - and in exchange for funding the ANC via oligarch proxies and attacking our democracy. We will rue this relationship - the ANC is set to use Russia's disinformation apparatus to derail our national elections this year. Israel and Hamas have little to do with us. Russia is colluding with the ANC to destroy our democracy.

quentindp Jan 11, 2024, 12:50 PM

Your comment just reaffirms my point. Nothing you've said is in the slightest relevant to the question - whether Israel is committing genocidal acts in Gaza. As for "Israel and Hamas have little to do with us" - genocide is a crime against humanity. By definition, it has something to do with everyone.

rkeenemail Jan 11, 2024, 03:17 PM

Hamas stated a war , and it’s Israel’s right to finish it.

Ben Harper Jan 12, 2024, 06:58 AM

No, in any legal process the case for precedent is strong, SA lauds and courts Putin and Russia whilst they commit genocide on the people of Ukraine - they have set the precedent that it's OK so their argument against Israel falls flat, You cannot condemn one and at the same time support another for doing the same thing

Ben Harper Jan 12, 2024, 08:23 AM

SA has a track record of supporting genocidal maniacs, even convicted ones and refusing to arrest such genocidal maniacs after the ICC has issued arrest warrants for them. So what's the bigger "crime", the unprovoked slaughter of 400,000 people in South Sudan or a sovereign state taking the necessary action to protect its people?

rkeenemail Jan 11, 2024, 03:16 PM

Cheap and irrelevant shot, alt.

quentindp Jan 12, 2024, 10:28 AM

Ditto.

John P Jan 11, 2024, 12:45 PM

Ukraine has the might of the western world on it's side, they should be bringing the charges. The Palestinians on the other hand have few friends to turn to. In most things I disagree with our government including their response to the war in Ukraine. The attempt to do something about the destruction in Gaza is however to be lauded.

robby 77 Jan 11, 2024, 03:01 PM

Oh puhlease, you think they are worried about the destruction in Gaza, pfft. They are worried about Iran's flow of cash more likely. the ANC is not a regime that sticks up for the little guy (any more anyway). The Palestinians have friends in Qatar, Iran, Lebanon. But why don't you think it is more?Why do you think Saudi was going to sign an accord with Israel, as have UAE and Bahrain. Ukraine may have western support, but they are very much the David in a fight with Goliath. That argument doesn't stack up for me.

Mkulu Zulu Jan 11, 2024, 05:00 PM

Nail on the head! And the money the ANC is being paid by Iran to institute the genocide BS?

Eberhard Knapp Jan 11, 2024, 01:36 PM

If genocide is suspected - any of the Western powers could have brought the matter to the ICJ. The fact that none have done so is a clear indication that what is happening in Ukraine is not genocide - it is cruel and cruel imperialism, wanting to integrate Ukraine into the Russian Republic (as they have already done in the East of Ukraine. So - please acknowledge that there is a difference between Russia's war of aggression and Israel's war of destruction, obliteration, or expulsion - which was clearly stated by Israeli Minsters as being the ultimate goal of their ongoing military actions and that of the settlers in the Westbank.

Kenneth FAKUDE Jan 11, 2024, 03:58 PM

Do you think western powers will supply the bombs causing the genocide then open a case against Israel ? Give your logic please

Rod MacLeod Jan 11, 2024, 02:03 PM

Who is paying for this little exercise?

Rob Martin Jan 11, 2024, 03:29 PM

How can you call this a "little exercise"? Its horrific what citizens of Palestine (Christian, Muslim and Jewish) are facing. The response from Israel is so radical that one has to believe that the Hamas attack was just an excuse to exterminate all Palestinians. Step away from your personal politics and become a human.

Rob Martin Jan 11, 2024, 03:32 PM

How can you call this a “little exercise”? Its horrific what citizens of Palestine (Christian, Muslim and Jewish) are facing. The response from Israel is so radical that one has to believe that the attack on Hamas was just an excuse to exterminate all Palestinians. Step away from your personal politics and become a human.

d***n@w***.co.za Jan 11, 2024, 07:55 PM

Please note there are no Jews in Gaza. The Palestinians will not allow any Jew to reside in Gaza. Israel is the apartheid state?

Ben Harper Jan 12, 2024, 07:01 AM

Riiiiggghhhhtttttt

Esskay Esskay Jan 11, 2024, 02:44 PM

South Africa essentially trying to get a cease fire - this will stop Israel from obliterating the Hamas infrastructure allowing it regroup and re-arm! Hamas visited SA recently and is desperate.

John P Jan 11, 2024, 02:55 PM

Hopefully a ceasefire will stop Israel from obliterating Palestine

Ben Harper Jan 12, 2024, 08:26 AM

No it won't, a ceasefire will achieve one thing only, give Hamas the opportunity to regroup and launch fresh attacks as they have done with every single ceasefire before

Kenneth FAKUDE Jan 11, 2024, 04:01 PM

Esskay you just missed Palestinians which is the subject of the case submitted by south africa

Mkulu Zulu Jan 11, 2024, 04:58 PM

Has the ANC been paid to do this by Iran? Think about it, they have a voracious appetite for illegal money?

Mkulu Zulu Jan 11, 2024, 05:02 PM

Just thinking about the evil part of the supernatural, that genocidal Kant Hitler must be still around........

rob.kent Jan 12, 2024, 09:18 AM

Millions living in poverty in SA but we have the resources to take another country to the international court of justice. Clean up your own act before you start throwing stones at others. Distraction tactics by the government again?