The Brazilian Foreign Ministry revealed on Wednesday that the country is currently finalizing its submission to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel’s war in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, according to Reuters.
Brazil also accused the Israeli government of violating the international law by annexing the territories “by force.”
Meanwhile, Israel denies deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians, stressing that its objective is to eliminate Hamas.
Lawyers for Israel have also labeled South Africa’s case as an abuse of the genocide convention.
“The breaking of Brazil’s long-standing friendship and partnership with Israel is a misguided move that proves the extremism of our foreign policy,” Brazil’s National Israeli association CONIB said in a statement.
Strong Condemnation
In June, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned Israeli war on Gaza and called it a “premeditated genocide,” during his visit to Paris.
“This is not a war. It is genocide. A genocide being carried out by a highly trained army, against women and children” Lula said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
“[It is] a premeditated genocide from a far-right government that is waging a war, including against the interests of its own people,” he said.
This was not the first time for Lulu to use the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Genocide Case
South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians, following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
It submitted various evidence claiming, “acts and omissions” by Israel “are genocidal, aimed at bringing about” the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
South Africa accused the Israeli occupation of carrying out air strikes and killing thousands of Palestinians, mentioning comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as evidence of “genocidal intent”.
Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 137,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Countries Joining Genocide Case
Other countries such as Spain, Turkey, and Colombia have also sought to join the case against Israel.
Turkey joined the case as a response to Israel’s violations during the war on Gaza after it has already taken serious steps against Israel, such as the restrictions on some exports.
Moreover, Nicaragua’s application was submitted under Article 62 of the ICJ Statute, requesting intervention in South Africa’s case against Israel.
Columbia supported South Africa’s case and requested a different type of intervention under Article 63 of the Statute to assist the Court in interpreting the provisions of the Convention in this case.
Israel’s Response
Israel fiercely dismissed the case and accused South Africa of presenting “grossly distorted” allegations of genocide.
Israel insists that its bloody war in Gaza is “self-defense,” and it targets Hamas, not the Palestinians, and that its leaders have shown no genocidal intent, reported CNN.
In addition, it asked the UN court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the evidence is “unfounded.”
The ICJ also ordered Israel to stop its Rafah military assault in Gaza in response to a complaint from South Africa.
It also ruled Israel must keep Rafah crossing open for “unhindered” humanitarian aid.
The ICJ also ordered Israel to submit a report to the court within one month containing all measures taken to comply with the order.
In April 2024, the court set deadlines for the parties to submit their evidence and counter-memorials, which will be October 28, 2024, and July 28, 2025, respectively.
Related Topics:
ICJ Rejects Israel’s Bid to Dismiss Genocide Case
Cuba to Join South Africa’s Genocide Case against Israel at ICJ
The Hague Group: More Nations Join Legal Efforts Against Israel
