• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

South Africa Ambassador: We hope other countries join us against Israel in ICJ

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Fri / 26 January 2024 / 00:22

South Africa ambassador to Tehran said "we hope other countries will join on the side of South Africa to prove the genocide case against Israel in ICJ."

Tehran- ISNA- On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will announce its decision on emergency or provisional measures against Israel in an interim verdict after South Africa filed a case against Israel accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza.

On December 29, South Africa filed an 84-page legal case at the ICJ accusing Israel of violating the 1984 Genocide Convention during its near-four-month bombardment of Gaza.

On January 11 and 12, the ICJ conducted hearings during which South Africa presented its case and, then, Israel defended itself.

In this regard South Africa ambassador to Tehran "Francis Molloy" told ISNA in an exclusive interview that "South Africa wants the Court to order Israel to offer assurances and guarantees that Israel will not repeat its gross violations of the Genocide Convention."

Molly in response to question about "South Africa goals" about the measure against Israel said "From South Africa's point of view, what Israel has done and continues to do in Gaza since 7 October 2023 amounts to acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Genocide is a crime under international law and the Genocide Convention which both South Africa and Israel (and 151 other states) have signed puts an obligation on states to prevent and punish the crime of genocide."

"South Africa has filed the case against Israel in the ICJ requesting the Court, among other measures, to declare that Israel has breached and continues to breach its obligations under the Genocide Convention and that Israel should cease forthwith the genocidal acts against the Palestinians, which include, the killing and displacement of Palestinians; and starving the Palestinians in Gaza of food, medicines, water, and electricity." Mr. ambassador added.

He asserted that "South Africa wants to see all those who are guilty of the genocidal acts and statements which have been perpetrated and continue to be perpetrated against the Palestinians in Gaza be brought to justice and full accountability. That is why South Africa has also requested the ICJ to order that Israel preserve the evidence implicating all those who have been engaged in or are engaging or have incited and are continuing to incite genocide so that they can be prosecuted and punished. South Africa also wants the Court to order Israel to offer assurances and guarantees that Israel will not repeat its gross violations of the Genocide Convention; specifically, that it will stop the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of Palestinian life and civilian infrastructure."

South Africa ambassador to Tehran in response to question about "expectations from Arab and Islamic countries in following up on this case And how can countries like Iran assist the South African government in advancing the case?" said: "South Africa has received tremendous support from many countries, including the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The case against Israel at this preliminary stage is aimed only at requesting the ICJ to indicate provisional measures as an interim order to stop Israel from continuing its genocidal assault on the people of Palestine in Gaza."

He also said "The case is still going to proceed on the merits, where South Africa will seek to prove that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and that justice be done for the people of Palestine. When the case proceeds on the merits, the indication is that many countries would then join the proceedings, either on the side of South Africa or on the side of Israel."

"It may also be possible that other countries might join as "friends of the court." It is at that stage when we hope other countries will join on the side of South Africa to prove the case against Israel. Obviously, countries are free to decide on their own how they can continue to play a role in support of this course of action against Israel." Molloy added.

Regarding "court proceeding", Mr. Molloy added: "At this preliminary stage, South Africa has brought the case to Court requesting the ICJ to indicate, as a matter or extreme urgency, provisional measures to stop Israel from committing acts of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. So, I expect the Court to decide on our application in as short a time as possible; maybe two weeks? From South Africa's side, we think we have presented compelling evidence which would persuade the Court to decide in our favour. Specifically, we expect the Court to find that the acts that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit against the Palestinians in Gaza could plausibly fall within those defined in the Genocide Convention as constituting genocide."

"And when the Court so decides, we hope that Israel will comply with the Court order and that all other states which are signatories to the Genocide Convention will comply with their own obligations under this Convention; specifically, that all countries will be required to take appropriate measures to prevent Israel's genocide from continuing in Gaza and bring those who are guilty to justice." He asserted.

End Item