Israel

South Africa Calls on ICJ for More Measures Against Israel

Published MAR 7 2024

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The Facts

South Africa has again written to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and urged it to apply urgent provisional measures on Israel and its actions in Gaza.
Al Jazeera
In January, the ICJ had found "plausible" South Africa's allegations that Israel had breached the Genocide Convention and ordered it to take a series of preventative measures. The ICJ could take years to rule on South Africa's wider case.
NPR
Last month, however, the ICJ declined South Africa's request to block Israel's potential military offensive into the Gazan city of Rafah. It ruled that its January orders were sufficient and demanded that Israel comply with the measures.
Al Jazeera
On Wednesday, South Africa called on the ICJ "to do what is within its power to save Palestinians in Gaza from genocidal starvation" and order Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of people face acute malnutrition and starvation.
The Times of Israel
A report by Refugees International accused Israel of groundlessly blocking the delivery of food, water, medicine, and other items into Gaza — a sentiment echoed by numerous humanitarian agencies. On Wednesday, the UN said that at least 20 Gazan children have died of starvation.
Al Jazeera
Meanwhile, Israel strongly denies violating the Genocide Convention. Its foreign ministry hasn't commented on South Africa's latest request.
The Times of Israel

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The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

After months of warnings, starvation and famine have now materialized in Gaza. Time is running out for the Palestinians. The ICJ must take this opportunity to act and prevent this entirely avoidable human catastrophe.

Al Jazeera

Pro-Israel narrative

Israel and its military are committed to complying with international law. While aid convoys have to be checked for weapons that might be delivered to Hamas, Israel has worked tirelessly to ensure that aid reaches Gaza.