SA's ‘genocide’ case against Israel ‘a political game changer’ - expert

The country launched its application against Israel at the United Nations’ top court in December for what it said were genocidal acts in Gaza, with Israel rejecting the case “with disgust”.

South Africa wants the International Court of Justice to order Israel to urgently suspend its military operations in Gaza.

The case will be heard on Thursday and Friday.

Professor Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk from the Wits School of Governance says regardless of the outcome, South Africa's decision to approach ICJ pushed other countries to take a side in the war between Israel and Hamas.

"We already know that countries are lining up for or against Israel. If you want to put it the other way around, it is for or against Palestine politically. What South Africa has done, it has pushed countries and their diplomatic relations globally  to take a side, which no other country has done in the immediate past."

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola and the South African delegation left on Tuesday for the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

The South African delegation comprises South Africa’s diplomats and officials, including the Director General in the Presidency Phindile Baleni; Director General of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation Zane Dangor; and Director General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and former Deputy Ambassador for South Africa to the United Nations, Advocate Doctor Mashabane.

Special Advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Advocate Nokukhanya Jele, is also part of the delegation.

Joining the South African delegation at the International Court of Justice will be Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the opposition in the United Kingdom.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Lamola said he was confident that South Africa had a strong case.

"We are determined to see the end of the genocide that is currently taking place in Gaza. We are most encouraged by leaders of the world who have not blunted their consciousness and have stood on the right side of history by supporting a case that seeks to protect the rights of human beings, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity."

On Monday, Israel accused South Africa of being criminally complicit in the atrocities committed by militant group Hamas.

The Gaza war began after Hamas gunmen launched their unprecedented October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Militants from Hamas, considered a terrorist group by the United States and European Union, also took around 250 hostages. Israel says 132 of them remain captive, including at least 25 believed to have been killed.

Israel has responded with relentless bombardment and a ground invasion of Gaza that has killed at least 23,210 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

The Israeli army says its death toll inside Gaza had risen to 185 after nine soldiers were killed on Monday.