Itamaraty reported on Wednesday 10 that President Lula (PT) supports South Africa's initiative to sue Israel at the International Court of Justice over the attacks in the Gaza Strip.
The lawsuit asks the court to confirm the finding that the country led by Benjamin Netanyahu has violated obligations under the Convention to Prevent and Suppress the Crime of Genocide.
After meeting on Wednesday with Palestinian Ambassador to Brazil Ibrahim Alzeben, Lula expressed his support for the South African initiative.
“In view of the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, the President expressed his support for South Africa's initiative to call on the International Court of Justice to order Israel to immediately cease all acts and measures that could constitute genocide or related crimes under international law “the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” the statement said.
Founded in 1945, the International Court of Justice is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The court decides on disputes between states and responds to requests from specialized organizations or agencies of the United Nations.
In the lawsuit, South Africa claims that “Israel's actions and omissions are genocidal in nature because they are accompanied by the requisite specific intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader national, racial and ethnic group of Palestinians.”
The allegations are vehemently rejected by Israel. The country denies that its army is using disproportionate force in the war against the Islamist movement Hamas.