South Africa returns to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to seek the court to examine Israel's decision to expand its military operations in Rafah.
Sibusiso Ndlovu
South Africa (SA) put International Court of Justice (ICJ) legal jurisprudence at work, with its legal team presenting a strong, memorable argument against Israel’s Gaza “genocidal” case. SA lawyers and the other delegations led by Minister Ronald Lamola to the Hague urged the ICJ to order Israel to stop its war against the people of Gaza.
The lawyers argued Israel has committed “genocidal” acts with intent against the people of Gaza. Vaughan Lawe, a British lawyer representing SA, argued that, “if any military operation- no matter how carefully it’s carried out is carried out pursuant to an intention to destroy a people in whole or in part, it violates the genocide convention”, he argued.
South Africa is urgently asking the court to prevent Israel from committing further war crimes against the people of Gazaan. It is asking for emergency order to prevent Israel immediately before the start of the initial case.
Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaito submitted that Israel’s “genocidal” intent was evident from the way in which this military attack is being conducted. He further argued that, “the intent to destroy Gaza has been nurtured at the highest level of the state.
He quoted an example used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his military when he said, On this day, remember Amalek, a biblical figure. “Amalek is being used to justify the killing of everyone, including children, he added.
Ngcukaitobi told the court, “Israel has full awareness of its actions. Right from the beginning, Israel knew it was depriving Palestinians of water, food, health care, and other essential needs.
Adila Hassim, also a lawyer representing SA, argued to the court that, “Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week and no one is spared. Nothing will stop the suffering, except an order from this court, she argued.
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