The representatives of South Africa accused Israel in the court of the genocide of the Palestinians.
The hearing of South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel began today at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. South Africa accuses Israel of the genocide of the Palestinians and hopes that justice will demand an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza.
Today we heard South Africa’s speeches. Israel will defend itself tomorrow.
South Africa’s lawsuit was defended by a number of the country’s ministers and legal scholars. They emphasized that the Gaza war is just one part of Israel’s decades-long oppression of the Palestinians.
One of the South African lawyers pursuing the case was Adila Hassim.
– Genocide is never announced in advance, but this right has the advantage of 13 weeks of evidence. It undeniably shows a pattern of action that justifies the claim of genocide-like activity.
According to Hassim, the first act of genocide is the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza.
– Israel has dropped 6,000 bombs a week. Southern Gaza has also been bombed, even though it was supposed to be a safe area.
– No one is spared, not even newborns. UN chiefs have described it as a children’s graveyard.
Also a barrister of the Supreme Court of South Africa Tembeka Ngcukaitobi said that Israel’s goal in Gaza is the genocide of the Palestinians.
– It becomes clear when you look at Israel’s way of carrying out attacks. Die slowly of starvation and dehydration, or die quickly in a bombing or sniper’s bullet. But die anyway.
South Africa has long supported the Palestinians. The country’s own racial riots are compared to the treatment of the Palestinians.
Those demanding peace and relatives of the hostages gathered in the streets
The trial gathered a large number of protesters near the courthouse. Defenders of both Palestine and Israel showed their opinion.
Cries of “Free Palestine” could be heard especially in the morning from the crowd, where a poster depicting the South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was on display. In the poster, Mandela says that there is no real freedom until Palestine is free.
Nada Pelcheva wanted to come to show support for the Palestinians.
– It is important to support people who are not as privileged as us. There are civilians like us in Gaza, they lose their lives every day.
According to him, the UN institutions have often been powerless, but this time he trusts the international court.
– There is a lot of hope in the air today.
Also Brian Douglas McKennan says he came to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
In his opinion, holding a hearing on the matter is a victory for the international community.
What do you think will happen?
– History repeats itself one way or another. It is up to us what kind of history we are going to repeat.
The Israeli troops were marching Michael Levy. His brother was kidnapped by Hamas and is still in prison.
– Today Israel is presented here with absurd accusations of genocide. Meanwhile, Hamas commits crimes against humanity every day. My brother and the other hostages are there. I am here to raise my voice for them.
Israel is expected to defend itself fiercely against genocide accusations on Friday.