Tel Aviv is accused of the crime of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice; The complaint was lodged by South Africa
In a statement on Friday (January 12, 2024), the federal government rejected South Africa's accusation of “genocide” against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a statement, the country's spokesman, Stefen Hebestreiot, said the complaint “has no basis whatsoever” and that Germany would intervene in Israel's defense.
“The Federal Government firmly and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide made against Israel before the International Court of Justice. This accusation has no basis whatsoever,” explained Hebestreiot.
This Friday (January 12), the ICJ held the second day of a public hearing to analyze South Africa's accusation that Israel was involved in “acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
Germany states that “Israel defended itself against Hamas’s inhumane attack” and that South Africa’s accusation is therefore unfounded. The European country sees itself as “particularly committed to the Genocide Convention due to Germany’s history in the Holocaust.”
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is a human rights treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly (United Nations). Created shortly after World War II and the Holocaust, the treaty represents the international community's commitment to ensuring that crimes of genocide are not repeated.
According to the United Nations, the 19 Articles of Commitment establish the duty of the 153 states that have ratified or acceded to the Convention to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and thanked Berlin for its decision. “Your position on the side of truth moves all citizens of Israel,” the Israeli prime minister said. The information comes from the Times of Israel newspaper.
Read the full statement from the federal government:
“On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally attacked, tortured, killed and kidnapped innocent people in Israel. Hamas' goal is the destruction of Israel. Since then, Israel has been defending itself against Hamas' inhumane attacks.
“In view of Germany's history and the crime against humanity of the Shoah, the Federal Government sees itself as particularly committed to the Genocide Convention. This convention is a central instrument of international law for the implementation of “Never again”. We resolutely oppose political instrumentalization.
“We know that different countries assess Israel’s mission in Gaza differently. However, the Federal Government firmly and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide that has now been made against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This accusation has no basis whatsoever.
“The Federal Government supports the International Court of Justice, as it has for many decades. The federal government intends to intervene as a third party in the main hearing.”
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