World Court To Rule On Gaza Emergency Measures Against Israel On Friday Over South Africa’s Genocide Accusations
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has fixed tomorrow, Friday, January 26, 2024, to rule on whether to grant emergency measures against Israel following South Africa’s suit against the action of the country’s military in Gaza.
South Africa in the case it filed on December 29, accused Israel of genocide and violation of the UN Genocide Convention with its actions in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
The South African requested an injunction by the top UN court to halt Israel’s military assault on Gaza, which has dragged on for more than three months, with the death toll rising to over 25,000.
The 84-page filing by South Africa accuses Israel of acts and omissions “genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.”
The court will Friday rule on whether or not it will grant emergency measures against Israel following the accusations made by South Africa.
A statement issued by the court on Wednesday said its 17-judge panel will hand down its ruling in court on Friday, January 26 at 1 pm (12.00 GMT).
The statement was titled, ‘Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).’
“The court to deliver its order on Friday 26, January 2024 at 1 pm,” it said.
The statement read, “On Friday 26 January 2024, the International Court of Justice will deliver its Order on the Request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
“A public sitting will take place at 1 pm at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which Judge Joan E. Donoghue, the President of the Court, will read the Court’s Onder.
“It is recalled that on 29 December 2023, South Africa filed an Application instituting proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“In its Application, South Africa also requested the Court to indicate provisional measures in order to ‘protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention’ and ‘to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide.’”
