Israel defends against 'profoundly distorted' genocide accusation

Israel declared on Friday that it is not seeking the destruction of the Palestinian people, vehemently responding to what it termed a “profoundly distorted” and “malevolent” genocide case brought before the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa.

The case alleges that Israel is in breach of the UN Genocide Convention, signed in 1948.

South Africa’s emergency case calls for an immediate halt to Israel’s Gaza campaign, initiated following the October 7 Hamas attacks that claimed the lives of 1,140 people, according to Israeli figures.

The toll has risen to at least 23,469, predominantly women and children, as per Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Representing Israel, Tal Becker presented a graphic portrayal of the horrors of the October 7 attacks to ICJ judges in The Hague, emphasizing that Israel’s response was self-defense against Hamas, not aimed at the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip.

Becker dismissed South Africa’s presentation as a “profoundly distorted factual and legal picture.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the accusation, stating, “The State of Israel is accused of genocide at a time when it is fighting genocide,” while the United States and Israel both dismissed the case as groundless.

The ICJ is expected to rule on South Africa’s request in the coming weeks, with its decisions being final and legally binding, though enforcement mechanisms are limited.

In this emergency proceeding, the court will assess whether the rights of Gazans to exist are at risk, rather than ruling on the fundamental question of whether Israel is committing genocide. South Africa contends that Israel has “crossed the line” and is in violation of the Genocide Convention, a claim vehemently contested by Israel.

South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola argued that even the brutality of the Hamas attack does not justify Israel’s actions.

ANC, a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian cause, views the case as pivotal to international justice, with the lawyer for South Africa warning that the “reputation of international law hangs in the balance.”

The ANC’s historical ties to the Palestinian cause were evident in Bethlehem, where officials raised the flag of South Africa, garnering support from the crowd. Bethlehem’s mayor expressed hope for fruitful results for the Palestinian people and humanity in general, underlining the significance of the ICJ’s proceedings.

In her address to the ICJ, South Africa’s lawyer, Blinne Ni Ghralaigh, emphasized the weight of the case on international law, stating, “Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and will to bind and protect all peoples equally, hangs in the balance.”

The outcome of this high-stakes legal battle will shape perceptions of justice on the international stage.