'State of Palestine' seeks to join South Africa in genocide case vs Israel | ABS-CBN
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
'State of Palestine' seeks to join South Africa in genocide case vs Israel
'State of Palestine' seeks to join South Africa in genocide case vs Israel
Agence France-Presse
Published Jun 04, 2024 10:49 AM PHT
Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 13, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. AFP
Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 13, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. AFP THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Palestinian authorities are seeking to join South Africa before the UN's top court in a case in which Pretoria has accused Israel of "genocide" in Gaza, court documents showed on Monday.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Palestinian authorities are seeking to join South Africa before the UN's top court in a case in which Pretoria has accused Israel of "genocide" in Gaza, court documents showed on Monday.
South Africa brought the case before the International Court of Justice last year, alleging that Israel's Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention -- a charge Israel strongly denies.
South Africa brought the case before the International Court of Justice last year, alleging that Israel's Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention -- a charge Israel strongly denies.
So far, the Palestinians have only sent high-ranking representatives to follow the hearings in The Hague.
So far, the Palestinians have only sent high-ranking representatives to follow the hearings in The Hague.
But on Friday they asked the judges for permission to join South Africa's suit, saying it had a special "interest of a legal nature which may be affected by the decision in the case."
But on Friday they asked the judges for permission to join South Africa's suit, saying it had a special "interest of a legal nature which may be affected by the decision in the case."
ADVERTISEMENT
"On May 31, the State of Palestine filed in the Registry of the Court an application for permission to intervene and a declaration of intervention," the ICJ said in a statement.
"On May 31, the State of Palestine filed in the Registry of the Court an application for permission to intervene and a declaration of intervention," the ICJ said in a statement.
Set up after World War II, the Hague-based ICJ rules in disputes between states.
Set up after World War II, the Hague-based ICJ rules in disputes between states.
The Palestinians gained non-member UN observer status in 2012.
The Palestinians gained non-member UN observer status in 2012.
In their application, Palestinian authorities also pointed out they had signed the Genocide Convention in 2014.
In their application, Palestinian authorities also pointed out they had signed the Genocide Convention in 2014.
The ICJ on Friday ordered Israel to ensure "unimpeded access" to UN-mandated investigators to look into allegations of genocide.
The ICJ on Friday ordered Israel to ensure "unimpeded access" to UN-mandated investigators to look into allegations of genocide.
ADVERTISEMENT
In a ruling on January 26, the ICJ also ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operation in Gaza.
In a ruling on January 26, the ICJ also ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operation in Gaza.
But South Africa has since returned several times to the ICJ arguing that the dire humanitarian situation in the territory compels the court to issue further fresh emergency measures.
But South Africa has since returned several times to the ICJ arguing that the dire humanitarian situation in the territory compels the court to issue further fresh emergency measures.
On May 24, the court ordered Israel to "immediately" halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah and keep open the key border crossing there for "unhindered" humanitarian aid.
On May 24, the court ordered Israel to "immediately" halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah and keep open the key border crossing there for "unhindered" humanitarian aid.
It also called for the "unconditional" release of hostages taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas during its October 7 assault.
It also called for the "unconditional" release of hostages taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas during its October 7 assault.
ICJ rulings are legally binding but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail.
ICJ rulings are legally binding but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail.
ADVERTISEMENT
Judges will now ponder the Palestinian request.
Judges will now ponder the Palestinian request.
© Agence France-Presse
RELATED VIDEO:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
