Israel to challenge South Africa's "genocidal" allegations at International Court

Israel has vowed to contest South Africa's accusation of "genocidal" acts in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), country's spokesperson Eylon Levy said.

Addressing South African leaders, Levy warns, "History will judge you, and it will judge you without mercy."

South Africa, a strong supporter of the Palestinians, filed the case at the ICJ, triggering outrage from Israel. The dispute stems from Israel's actions during the war with Gaza, which began on October 7. Gaza's health ministry, run by Hamas, claims over 22,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have been killed in Israeli strikes.

Israel justifies its actions, declaring war on Hamas after the group's large-scale attack on Israeli communities resulted in around 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 240 individuals taken to Gaza as hostages.

South Africa asserts its obligation "to prevent genocide from occurring" as it presents an 84-page document to the ICJ, accusing Israel's "acts and omissions" of being "genocidal in character."

More from World

The case is scheduled to be heard on January 11 and 12, with South African government lawyers preparing their argument.

The ICJ, the United Nations' highest court based in The Hague, can settle disputes between states and provide advisory opinions on international legal matters. While lacking prosecutorial power, its opinions carry weight within the UN and other international legal bodies.

Levy states Israel's intention to fight the case, aiming to refute what he calls South Africa's "absurd blood libel." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the allegations, asserting that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for potential genocide.

This legal battle follows an existing ICJ investigation initiated by the Palestinians into Israel's "prolonged occupation, settlement, and annexation" of Palestinian territory. In 2004, the ICJ deemed Israel's barrier in the West Bank against international law, a decision contested by Israel, citing it as a defense against suicide bombings. Palestinians viewed it as a land-grabbing mechanism.