Watan-Through an Israeli journalist, he expressed his anticipation for the condemnation of the occupying state for committing crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, just before the International Court of Justice considers a lawsuit against Israel in this regard.
Journalist Gideon Levy wrote an article in Haaretz before the commencement of the lawsuit filed by South Africa against the occupying state.
Levy expressed his hope that the occupying state would be condemned to compel it to halt the war it is waging on the Gaza Strip, stating, “It is not easy for an Israeli to wish for a judicial order against his own country, which may also lead to punitive measures against it, but is there any other way to stop the war.”
مع بدء محاكمتها في “لاهاي”.. صحفي إسرائيلي يتمنى إدانة دولته بارتكاب جرائـ.ـم ضد الإنسانية.#الجزيرة_مباشر pic.twitter.com/7O0QCu48dM
— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) January 8, 2024
He added, “It is no longer possible to ignore the fact that suspicions of committing the worst crimes against humanity and international law hover over Israel.”
Levy continued, “They talk about racial segregation, forced population transfer, ethnic cleansing, and genocide… What could be more heinous than this? And it seems that there is no other country today accused of all these crimes.”
South Africa filed a lawsuit, consisting of 84 pages, explaining the accompanying evidence of atrocities committed in Gaza. In addition, the court, considered the international body for resolving disputes between states, was urgently requested to declare that Israel has violated its obligations under international law since October 7th of last year.
Accusations by South Africa against Israel
In the lawsuit, the sessions of which take place on Thursdays and Fridays, South Africa accused Israel before the International Court of Justice of committing genocide in Gaza, violating the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” of 1948, which defines genocide as “acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.”
They also accuse Israel of committing genocidal acts, including killing Palestinians in Gaza in large numbers, especially children, destroying their homes, displacing and expelling them, and imposing a blockade on essential resources.
In addition to that, Israel is accused of implementing measures preventing the birth of Palestinians by destroying essential healthcare services necessary for the well-being of pregnant women and children.
They also hold Israel responsible for incitement to genocide and failure to prosecute those inciting, specifically pointing to statements made by Israeli officials during the war that sought to justify killing and destruction in Gaza.
In addition to that, measures preventing the birth of Palestinians are imposed by destroying essential healthcare services necessary for the well-being of pregnant women and children.
Israel is also accused of being responsible for incitement to genocide and failing to prosecute those inciting, particularly pointing to statements made by Israeli officials during the war that sought to justify killing and destruction in Gaza.
Bolivia supports South Africa’s lawsuit
In a related context, the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its support for the lawsuit filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice against Israel for genocide crimes in the Gaza Strip.
The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the step taken by South Africa in this regard, in accordance with its commitment to the Genocide Convention, considering it a historical move in defense of the rights of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause. The ministry emphasized the necessity of supporting this initiative by the international community.