The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is poised for a significant examination following South Africa's initiation of a case under the 1948 Genocide Convention, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) hailing this move as an "important opportunity."
“By taking this step, Pretoria is looking to the World Court, the United Nations’ highest judicial body, to provide clear, definitive answers on the question of whether Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at HRW, said in a statement.
Jarrah emphasized Pretoria's urgent appeal for the ICJ to issue provisional measures aimed at safeguarding Palestinians and ensuring Israel's adherence to the Genocide Convention.
Expressing support for South Africa's decision, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the genocide proceedings instituted by South Africa at the ICJ, citing Israel's purported attempts at the "destruction of the Palestinian people."
In its statement, the ministry underscored the plight of Palestinians under Israel's "colonial occupation and apartheid regime," stressing the immediate necessity for interventions to shield them from further harm.
The ministry urged swift action from the Court to protect Palestinians and demanded that Israel, as the occupying power, cease its onslaught.