In a written statement made on the Facebook page of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Africa’s intention to officially intervene in support of the lawsuit filed against Israel on the grounds of violation of the Genocide Convention was announced.
“AN UNPRECEDENTED HUMANITARIAN CRISIS”
The decision to intervene in the case in question was due to the increasing severity and scope of Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, the continuation of systematic practices, including direct attacks against the Palestinian people, the destruction of infrastructure, the expulsion of Palestinians from their own territory and the Gaza Strip. It was stated that it was taken as a result of causing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that made the city uninhabitable.
In the statement, it was stated that Egypt called on Israel to fulfill its obligations as the occupying power, to implement the interim measures taken by the ICJ and not to commit any violations against the Palestinian people, a people protected under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The statement also called on the United Nations Security Council and international parties to take immediate action to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza, stop military operations in Rafah and provide the necessary protection to Palestinian civilians.
Türkiye IS ALSO INTERVENTION
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan said in his statement, “As Turkey, we have decided to intervene in the case (on genocide) filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice.” Previously, Nicaragua, Colombia and Libya had filed a lawsuit against Article 62 of the Court Charter. It was announced that he requested intervention in accordance with Articles 63 and 63.
GENOCIDE CASE FILED
The Republic of South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ on December 29, 2023, on the grounds that it violated the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide dated 1948.
South Africa asked the ICJ to rule on interim measures due to the urgency of the situation in Gaza, and hearings on the request for precautionary measures were held at the Peace Palace in The Hague on 11-12 January.
In the precautionary decisions announced on January 26, the Court ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent the acts defined in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, to immediately take measures to prevent the Israeli army from committing the acts defined in Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, and to protect the Palestinians in Gaza. To take all necessary steps to prevent, hinder and punish those who call for genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, to take urgent and effective measures to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid needed to eliminate the negative living conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, to comply with the Convention on Genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It ruled that the court should take effective measures to prevent the destruction and protect the evidence showing the violation of the law, and to submit a report to the court about all measures taken within 1 month from the entry into force of the decision.
Upon South Africa’s request for additional measures on March 6, the Court ordered Israel to ensure the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, not to violate the rights of Palestinians, and to submit a report to the court within 1 month about the measures taken regarding additional measures. decided.
Source: AA