The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that South Africa’s most recent appeal to the World Court to prevent Israel from defending itself is an attempt to hinder Israel and supports Hamas in anticipation of an Israeli attack in southern Gaza.
On Tuesday, South Africa requested that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) examine if more emergency measures are necessary to safeguard the rights of Palestinians in light of Israel’s proposal to expand its Gaza onslaught into the city of Rafah.
Since Hamas militants assaulted Israel on October 7, over a million Palestinians have fled into Rafah, where Israel has announced plans to expand its ground assault. Since then, the offensive has destroyed much of the Gaza Strip.
Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Lior Haiat said, “South Africa is trying to deny Israel the legitimate right to protect itself and its citizens and continues to support the interests of the terrorist group Hamas.”
In a lawsuit brought by South Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month ordered Israel to take all necessary steps to stop its troops from committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“Although the Hamas terrorists are sheltering behind the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and are keeping 134 people hostage, Israel is determined to uphold international law, including facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and averting injury to innocents,” Haiat stated on Twitter.
Israel has asked the court to dismiss the case completely, claiming it is without merit, and has refuted all claims of genocide made in relation to its conflict against the Islamist terrorist group Hamas, which is dedicated to destroying Israel.
The central question in South Africa’s case—whether or not there has been genocide in Gaza—has not yet been decided by the court. Yet, it acknowledged that Gaza’s Palestinian population has a right to be shielded from acts of genocide.
(Reuters)
