The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said it has jurisdiction to rule in the case filed by South Africa against Israel, alleging genocide in Gaza.
Joan Donoghue, the ICJ President also on Friday said South Africa has standing to submit a genocide case against Israel.
She said “the court concludes that it has jurisdiction to entertain the case,” adding that it “cannot accede to Israel’s request that the case be removed.”
She noted that both Israel and South Africa are parties to the UN Convention, among other positions.
SaharaReporters had reported that the International Court of Justice, ICJ in The Hague had begun public hearings in South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
South Africa filed its on December 29, accusing Israel of genocide and violation of the UN Genocide Convention with its actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
As monitored live by SaharaReporters, Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s justice minister, in his opening statement, said, “In extending our hands … to the people of Palestine, we do so in full knowledge that we are part of a humanity.
“These were the words of our founding president Nelson Mandela, this is the spirit in which South Africa acceded to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1998.
“This is the spirit in which we approach this court as a contracting party to the convention. This is a commitment to all, to the people of Palestine and Israelis alike.”
On Friday, SaharaReporters reported that a delegation from occupied Palestine would be at The Hague to witness the ICJ deliver its Order on the Request for indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa against Israel.
Shortly after the delegations of the State of Palestine and South Africa will jointly have a press stakeout, a statement issued by the foreign ministry of the occupied territory said on Thursday.
It said, “By moving quickly and issuing the ruling only two weeks after the oral hearings, the Court acknowledges the urgency of the situation on the ground.
“The Palestinian people joined by millions around the world will be watching the Court’s ruling. The State of Palestine, calls on States to follow the lead of South Africa, respect the independence of Court and authority of international law and pursue accountability for its violations.”
On Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that the ICJ had fixed Friday, January 26, 2024, to rule on whether to grant emergency measures against Israel following South Africa’s suit against the action of the country’s military in Gaza.