Venezuela considers South Africa's genocide prosecution of Israel at the International Court of Justice as a 'historic act'
The Venezuelan government expressed on Tuesday that it appreciated the “historic action” that it said South Africa had taken by indicting Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged crimes of genocide during its war against the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the Caribbean country acknowledged “South Africa's decisive and historic step in defense of the Palestinian people” through this action, which Caracas said “must be accompanied by the entire international community, with an urgent call for respect for life.” and human dignity”.
The government of Nicolás Maduro added: “Venezuela reiterates that multilateral judicial authorities must act on the basis of the norms and principles of international law and, in the face of this genocide, do justice to the serious facts that constitute a clear aggression for humanity and in particular for the Palestinian people”
Last December, South Africa called on the United Nations judicial body to “urgently declare that Israel is in breach of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and must immediately cease all acts and measures violating these obligations.” as reported at the time by South Africa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. On January 2, Israel declared that it would appear before the International Court of Justice to defend itself against charges of genocide.
According to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, the war in Gaza has caused more than 23,000 deaths, some 59,000 injuries and the displacement of 1.9 million people in a territory with a population of 2.3 million. Following the Hamas armed group's attack on Israel on October 7, intense fighting and bombings broke out within the enclave, leaving 1,200 people dead and about 250 people taken hostage. (EFE)