Eurasia Press & News
Israeli authorities have announced that they will appear before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague, to present their defense against charges of genocide filed by the Republic of South Africa, as reported by Anadolu.
The decision, according to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, comes after intensive discussions among top Israeli officials and the country’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Israel has been a signatory to the genocide convention for decades, and we certainly will not boycott the process but will stand up and reject the absurd conspiracy against us,” said Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi.
The newspaper “Haaretz” reports that the Israeli military and prosecution have started preparing for the defense before the Hague tribunal.
On Friday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned South Africa’s move in the context of initiating legal proceedings before the ICJ to investigate crimes of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In its statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this move as a “blood libel” against Israel.
Last week, the Republic of South Africa filed a request to initiate proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice, seeking the court to “prescribe provisional measures.”
“The application was submitted in connection with Israel’s alleged breach of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” according to a statement from the ICJ.
The application states that Israel’s actions and omissions have a genocidal character, as they were committed with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.
“The conduct of Israel, through its state organs, state agents, and other persons and entities acting under its instructions, control, or influence, concerning Palestinians in Gaza, constitutes a breach of its obligations under the Genocide Convention,” the statement said.
South Africa accuses Israel in the application of failing to prevent genocide and of committing the direct and public crime of genocide.
