People raise flags and placards as they gather around a statue of late South African president Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark “genocide” case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on January 10, 2024. – The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own struggle against the white-minority government, which had cooperative relations with Israel. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
S.Africans rally in support of ‘genocide’ case against Israel
People took to the streets in Cape Town in demonstrations planned in support of the government’s “genocide” case against Israel.
People raise flags and placards as they gather around a statue of late South African president Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark “genocide” case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on January 10, 2024. – The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own struggle against the white-minority government, which had cooperative relations with Israel. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
Dozens of people took to the streets in Cape Town on Thursday in one of several demonstrations planned across South Africa in support of the government’s “genocide” case against Israel.
Lawyers for Pretoria are presenting their case at the UN’s top court in The Hague, where South Africa lodged an urgent appeal to force Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in Gaza.
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Israel
Standing on the steps of the High Court in the southwestern port city of Cape Town, pro-Palestinian demonstrators held signs reading “Stop the genocide” and “Boycott apartheid Israel”.
“Free Palestine,” some chanted. Further rallies are planned in Cape Town and other cities.
Robed officials from South Africa and Israel are going head-to-head before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Netherlands.
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South Africa argues that Israel is breaking its commitments under the UN Genocide Convention, alleging the bombing and invasion of Gaza is “intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
“This case is important to stop the genocide that is currently happening in the Gaza Strip,” Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told national broadcaster SABC as he arrived in The Hague to support the legal team.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog has dismissed the accusations as “atrocious” and “preposterous”.
ANC
South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party often linking it to its own struggle against apartheid.
It has cut off diplomatic ties with Israel over its response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The attack resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
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Israel has since bombarded Gaza by land, sea and air, killing more than 23,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
© Agence France-Presse
