EXPLANATION
More than ten countries support South Africa’s genocide cause against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Spain says it will join South Africa’s complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its war against the gang from Gaza.
Making the announcement on Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said: “We have taken this decision in light of the continued military operation in Gaza. »
What is the case?
South Africa filed a complaint against Israel in December, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The death toll from Israel’s war, which began in October, has surpassed 36,500, according to health authorities in the besieged and bombed territory.
South Africa’s case before the United Nations tribunal in The Hague argues that Israel violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust and requires all countries to prevent the repetition of such crimes. Such cases can take years to conclude.
Which countries have joined the file?
All states signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention are required not to commit genocide and also to prevent and punish it. The treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.”
States may intervene in a case before the ICJ if they have an interest of a legal nature that could be affected by the decision in the case. They can file an application with the court to be allowed to intervene, on which the court can then rule.
Countries that have joined or declared their intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel are:
- South Africa: filed the case on December 29
- Nicaragua: applied to join on February 8
- Belgium: declared intention to join on March 11
- Colombia: applied to join on April 5
- Turkey: declared intention to join on May 1
- Libya: applied to join on May 10
- Egypt: declared intention to join on May 12
- Maldives: declared intention to join on May 13
- Mexico: applied to join on May 24
- Ireland: declared intention to join on May 28
- Chile: declared intention to join on June 2
- Palestine: applied to join on June 3
- Spain: declared intention to join on June 6
Several other countries and organizations welcomed South Africa’s case, amid a global chorus for a ceasefire in Gaza.