The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague begins its initial sessions today, Thursday, to consider South Africa's request for the trial of Israel on charges of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has agreed to appear before the court to refute what it has described as "absurd accusations that lack any factual or legal basis."
However, the Hebrew press has confirmed that there is serious concern within Israeli security and public prosecution institutions that the ICJ may level charges of genocide against Israel.
The hearing sessions will address South Africa's demand to impose emergency measures and compel Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza while the court examines the case details—a process that could take years.
In the 84-page lawsuit, South Africa points out that Israel has failed to provide basic food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and other humanitarian aid to the residents of the region.
It also referred to the ongoing bombing campaign that destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, displaced about 1.9 million Palestinians, and resulted in the deaths of 23,000 people, according to health authority data in Gaza.
A panel of 17 judges, including two from Israel and South Africa, will listen to 3-hour-long arguments from each side. A ruling on interim measures is expected later this month. The judgments of the ICJ are binding, but the court does not have the power of enforcement.
Highlighting the gravity of the term 'genocide,' Israel has sent a former Supreme Court judge who survived the Nazi Holocaust that occurred before the signing of the Genocide Convention. South Africa will appoint a judge who, in his youth, spent ten years on Robben Island, where he met former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Another court in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC), is separately investigating charges of atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank and the October 7th attack on Israel, but has not named any suspects. Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects its jurisdiction.
Exchange of Accusations
Yesterday, Wednesday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, "Our opposition to the ongoing massacre against the Gaza people has pushed us as a country to resort to the International Court of Justice."
"We, as a people who once experienced the bitterness of dispossession, discrimination, racism, and state-sponsored violence, are clear that we will stand on the right side of history," he added.
In response, Israel's government spokesman Elon Levy stated last Wednesday, "Tomorrow (Thursday), the State of Israel will represent itself before the International Court of Justice to dispel the absurd blood libel launched by South Africa, with Pretoria providing political and legal cover for the usurper regime of Hamas."
Arab Support
The Arab League has expressed its full support and endorsement of the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel for committing genocide crimes and violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, expressing its hope for a fair ruling that would stop the aggressive war on Gaza and end the Palestinian bloodshed.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stated in a press release that the General Secretariat fully supports South Africa's efforts by all possible means, through readiness to provide whatever serves the cause and strengthens the Palestinian position, adding that it is an important step not only towards a ceasefire but also in holding the Israeli occupation accountable.
The Libyan Presidential Council yesterday announced its support for the lawsuit against Israel, confirming in a statement support by all means for the move taken by South Africa toward the Palestinian people and the unprecedented genocide they are facing at the hands of the Israeli occupation.
Tunisia stated that it would not join any lawsuit against Israel as it would imply implicit recognition of the entity. However, it confirmed that it would present oral arguments.
In Palestine, dozens gathered yesterday in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to "thank" South Africa for filing the case before the International Court of Justice.
The mayor of Ramallah, Issa Qassis, addressing the crowd in front of a six-meter-tall statue of Nelson Mandela presented by the Johannesburg municipality in 2016, said, "We feel that South Africa is listening to our hearts, hearing our pains."