5/15/2024–|Last updated: 5/15/202402:33 PM (Mecca time)
The Middle East Monitor website said that the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel due to its ongoing war on Gaza has escalated over the past few months into a major global issue after a group of countries submitted an official request to join South Africa, or announced their intention to do so.
The International Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling in the case in late January, and ordered Israel to take all measures within its authority to prevent acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention. It also ordered Tel Aviv to prevent and punish genocide, and to ensure the flow of aid to Gaza. Preserving evidence regarding crimes committed in the devastated sector.
Since the initial rulings, several countries have come forward to intervene in the case using a clause in the ICJ Statute that allows third parties to join the proceedings if they consider that they have “an interest of a legal nature that may be affected by any decision in the case.”
Intervene formally
Nicaragua was the first country to submit a formal request to the UN Supreme Court on January 23 for permission to intervene as a “party” in the case, as stated in a statement issued by the court on February 8.
Nicaragua said in the request that it has “interests of a legal nature that flow from the rights and obligations imposed by the Genocide Convention on all States Parties,” and added that it considers Israel’s behavior “a violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention.”
Nicaragua subsequently filed a separate request to file a claim against Germany on March 1, accusing it of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention and “facilitating the commission of genocide” by providing Israel with “political, financial and military support” and halting funding for the UN agency. Relief and Works for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The International Court of Justice considered the latter case last April, but rejected the request to take emergency measures against Germany.
After Nicaragua, Colombia approached the International Court of Justice last April requesting permission to intervene, urging the court to guarantee “the safety and even the existence of the Palestinian people.”
“Its ultimate goal is to ensure the most urgent and full possible protection for Palestinians in Gaza, especially vulnerable population groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly,” she said.
The third country that submitted an official request to intervene in the case is Libya, which submitted a declaration to the International Court of Justice on May 10, and said in its declaration that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “of a genocidal nature.”
Intent to intervene
The day before Monday, the Maldives confirmed its intention to intervene, and the presidency said in a statement that this decision was taken “on the basis that Israel is violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” and accused it of committing “acts of genocide… under the guise of security concerns” that “led to Mass displacement, severe famine, and obstruction of humanitarian aid.”
Egypt announced its intention to join the case against Israel, and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the decision was taken “in light of the escalating severity and scope of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the systematic targeting of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure in the Strip.”
The Ministry said that these actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 regarding the Protection of Civilian Persons during War, and called on Israel to comply with its obligations and the temporary measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.
On May 1, Turkey announced its intention to intervene in the genocide case against Israel, and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that his country hopes that its intervention will help ensure that the International Court of Justice case “will advance in the right direction.” He added that Ankara is working She has been on this matter “for a very long time,” and will soon complete her legal work.
From Europe, two countries expressed their intention to intervene in the case, as Ireland announced on March 27 that it would join the case, and Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said that officials had received instructions “to begin work on declaring intervention.”
“It is up to the court to determine whether genocide has been committed or not. But I want to be clear in repeating what I have said many times in the past few months that what we saw on October 7 in Israel, and what we are seeing in Gaza now “It represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law on a large scale,” he added, adding that all this must stop. “Enough!”
Earlier last March, Belgium issued a similar announcement, saying that it would submit a request to the International Court of Justice, but Foreign Minister Hajja Habib clarified that Belgium’s potential participation “is not related to bias in favor of or against this or that party,” but rather an attempt to “ To enhance the universality of international agreements to which states are parties.
In favor of Israel
The only country that has pledged so far to intervene in the International Court of Justice case to support Israel is its strong ally, Germany. Berlin issued this announcement on January 12, before the court issued its initial rulings.
In a statement, German government spokesman Stephen Hebstreit said that Berlin “strongly and frankly rejects the accusations of genocide,” adding that they “have absolutely no basis.”