SA should use close relationship with Hamas to urge release of hostages, Israel tells ICJ

On Friday, Israel responded to South Africa's submission at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

South Africa told the court on Thursday that the Israeli government was guilty of genocidal intent in the war against Hamas in Gaza

Some 23,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the war, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Becker told the court it was, in fact, Israel which suffered genocidal violence at the hands of Hamas on October 7.

"It is a matter of public record that South Africa enjoys close relations with Hamas despite its former recognition as a terrorist organisation by numerous states across the world. These relations have continued unabated even after the October 7 atrocities.

"South Africa has long hosted and celebrated its ties with Hamas figures, including a senior Hamas delegation that incredibly visited the country for a solidarity gathering just weeks after the massacre.

“In justifying instituting proceeding; South Africa makes much of its obligations under the Genocide Convention. It seems fitting then that it is instructed that it complies with the obligations itself to end its own language of delegitimisation of Israel’s existence and its support for Hamas and use its influence with this organisation so that Hamas permanently ends its campaign of genocidal terror and releases the hostages."

Becker added that South Africa omitted the fact that Israel was merely defending itself in a war that it did not start nor want.

"It is unsurprising, therefore, that in the applicant's telling, both Hamas's responsibility for the situation in Gaza and the very humanity of its Israeli victims are removed from view. The attempt to weaponise the term genocide against Israel in the present context does more than tell the court a distorted story."

On Thursday, Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola hit back at suggestions that the South African government get its mandate from the militant group.

Israel accused South Africa of serving as the "legal arm" of Hamas, after its lawyers presented Pretoria's "genocide" case against Israel at the UN's top court.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also slammed South Africa, saying it was Israel that was fighting "genocide" committed by Hamas militants.

South Africa accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, saying that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions.

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