South Africa celebrates UN court verdict against Israel

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued an emergency ruling on Friday, asserting that Israel must take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

The judgment came in response to a case brought forward by South Africa, which accused Israel of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention during its military campaign in Gaza, triggered by the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

President Cyril Ramaphosa applauded the ruling in a televised address, expressing hope that it would pave the way for a ceasefire.

He emphasized that Israel, as a self-proclaimed democracy, should adhere to the measures outlined by the court. The court did not make a definitive judgment on the accusation of genocide but issued provisional measures while considering the broader allegations—a process expected to extend over several years.

The ANC’s National Executive Committee, including Ramaphosa, celebrated the verdict with cheers, singing, and dancing, highlighting South Africa’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels to its own fight against apartheid.

Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions to stay out of foreign affairs, asserting that their history of dispossession and state-sponsored violence obligated them to act.

South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the ruling as a triumph for international rule of law and a significant step toward justice for the Palestinian people. .

The ministry called on other nations to cease funding and facilitating Israel’s military actions due to the perceived “serious risk of genocide.”

The court’s decision generated public interest in South Africa, where sympathy for the Palestinian quest for statehood is widespread. AFP reporters observed gatherings in Cape Town and Pretoria, where people watched the ruling on state television. Applause erupted as the ICJ judge announced the provisional measures.

Despite the binding nature of ICJ rulings, their enforcement lacks a mechanism, leading some to question the impact of the decision. Ramaphosa, however, expressed optimism, hoping that the verdict not only gets implemented but also triggers renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

He called for negotiations toward a permanent two-state solution, emphasizing South Africa’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people and their pursuit of self-determination.

The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip has witnessed the death of at least 26,083 Palestinians, with around 70 percent being women, young children, and adolescents, in Israeli bombardments and ground offensives since then, as reported by the Hamas government’s health ministry.