Israel to Defend Its Case in the Hague
“We will not boycott the debate. We will show up and counter this absurd blood libel against us,” said the country’s National Security Advisor
Mandi Kogosowski
| 02/01/2024
Will Israel stand before the International Court of Justice in the Hague to thwart South Africa’s accusations that it has been involved in genocide in the Gaza Strip? According to the country’s National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegby, the answer is yes.
“We will not boycott the debate. We will show up and counter this absurd blood libel against us,” Hanegby told Israel’s Ynet website, adding that this decision was made following intensive debates at the prime minister’s office.
On Friday, South Africa filed a case at the ICJ, alleging that Israel’s actions during the current war in the Gaza Strip constitute genocide. "The acts are all attributed to Israel, which has failed to prevent genocide and is committing genocide in manifest violation of the Genocide Convention." The country asked for an interim order that would make Israel halt its military operation. The word "genocide" appears 317 times in the 84-page document.
“South Africa's claim lacks both a factual and a legal basis, and constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court,” said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which noted that it “rejects with disgust the blood libel.”
“South Africa is cooperating with a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. The Hamas terrorist organization – which is committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and sought to commit genocide on 7 October – is responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them.”
On October 7th, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and slaughtered some 1,200 innocent individuals: civilians in their homes, young people at a rave near the border, and soldiers in their beds in Gaza adjacent outposts. They burned homes to the ground – with their inhabitants’ bodies charred beyond recognition, abused and raped women, beheaded children, and shot those who tried to escape in cold blood, while smoking and laughing, celebrating their “victory.” They also kidnapped over 250 people into the Gaza Strip – Israelis and foreign nationals. 129 Israelis are still held hostage, including an 11-month-old baby, young women, and sick and elderly people. Many have died or were murdered in captivity.
As a reminder, the Hamas charter calls for the annihilation of the State of Israel. This is a call for genocide, as were its acts on October 7th - and over the past 30 years, since its inception.
In its response, the Foreign Ministry stressed that “Israel is committed to international law and acts in accordance with it, and directs its military efforts solely against the Hamas terrorist organization and the other terrorist organizations cooperating with Hamas.
״Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy, and is making every effort to limit harm to civilians and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. We call on the International Court of Justice and the international community to completely reject South Africa’s baseless claims.״
“We will not boycott the debate. We will show up and counter this absurd blood libel against us,” said the country’s National Security Advisor
Will Israel stand before the International Court of Justice in the Hague to thwart South Africa’s accusations that it has been involved in genocide in the Gaza Strip? According to the country’s National Security Advisor, Tzachi Hanegby, the answer is yes.
“We will not boycott the debate. We will show up and counter this absurd blood libel against us,” Hanegby told Israel’s Ynet website, adding that this decision was made following intensive debates at the prime minister’s office.
On Friday, South Africa filed a case at the ICJ, alleging that Israel’s actions during the current war in the Gaza Strip constitute genocide. "The acts are all attributed to Israel, which has failed to prevent genocide and is committing genocide in manifest violation of the Genocide Convention." The country asked for an interim order that would make Israel halt its military operation. The word "genocide" appears 317 times in the 84-page document.
“South Africa's claim lacks both a factual and a legal basis, and constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court,” said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which noted that it “rejects with disgust the blood libel.”
“South Africa is cooperating with a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. The Hamas terrorist organization – which is committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and sought to commit genocide on 7 October – is responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them.”
On October 7th, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and slaughtered some 1,200 innocent individuals: civilians in their homes, young people at a rave near the border, and soldiers in their beds in Gaza adjacent outposts. They burned homes to the ground – with their inhabitants’ bodies charred beyond recognition, abused and raped women, beheaded children, and shot those who tried to escape in cold blood, while smoking and laughing, celebrating their “victory.” They also kidnapped over 250 people into the Gaza Strip – Israelis and foreign nationals. 129 Israelis are still held hostage, including an 11-month-old baby, young women, and sick and elderly people. Many have died or were murdered in captivity.
As a reminder, the Hamas charter calls for the annihilation of the State of Israel. This is a call for genocide, as were its acts on October 7th - and over the past 30 years, since its inception.
In its response, the Foreign Ministry stressed that “Israel is committed to international law and acts in accordance with it, and directs its military efforts solely against the Hamas terrorist organization and the other terrorist organizations cooperating with Hamas.
״Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy, and is making every effort to limit harm to civilians and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. We call on the International Court of Justice and the international community to completely reject South Africa’s baseless claims.״
