Israel rejects “with disgust” the accusations of“acts of genocide” in its war in Gaza brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), declared Friday December 29 on Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat. A legal action that the ministry described as “defamation”.
The ICJ, the principal judicial body of the United Nations, announced Friday that South Africa had submitted a request to it accusing Israel of engaging in “acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza”.
In its Application, South Africa asserts that the “Israel’s acts and omissions are genocidal in character because they are accompanied by the specific intent required (…) to destroy the Palestinians of Gaza as part of the larger national, racial and ethnic group of Palestinians”reported in a press release the ICJbased in The Hague.
“Unfounded accusations” for Israel
Depending on the country, “by its conduct – through its organs and agents and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence – with respect to the Palestinians in Gaza, Israel is in breach of its obligations are his responsibility under the Genocide Convention.clarified the ICJ.
“South Africa’s assertions are devoid of factual and legal basis and constitute a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court”retorted the Israeli spokesperson. “South Africa cooperates with a terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel”he added, urging “the ICJ and the international community to completely reject South Africa’s unfounded accusations”.