South Africa v Israel: Full Text of South Africa's application to the ICJ, oral arguments, and Court Orders
South Africa accused Israel of carrying out genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – a claim that Israel has strongly denied as "baseless".
Laying out their case, the South African legal team told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague that Israel had demonstrated a “pattern of genocidal conduct” since launching its full-scale war in Gaza, the 365 square kilometer strip of land it has occupied since 1967.
“This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately, no-one is spared, not even newborn babies.”
Israeli officials claim their actions are in self-defense and countered that the Court “lacks prima facie jurisdiction” in the matter, and the subject of the proceedings “do not fall within the remit of the Genocide Convention.”
Briefs, documents, oral arguments, and Court orders are provided below (this page will be updated as needed to provide information about the case from initiation to conclusion).
Text of South Africa's application to the ICJ bringing genocide charges against Israel:
South Africa's Oral Argument: South Africa v. Israel at UN Int'l Court of Justice Public Hearings
Israel's Oral Argument: South Africa v. Israel at UN Int'l Court of Justice Public Hearings
Israel claims self-defense