Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the opening of the genocide case against his country at the International Court of Justice, saying that the procedure shows an “upside-down world” in which Israel is “fighting terrorists, fighting lies.”
Netanyahu accused South Africa of “representing monsters” and “accusing Israel of genocide while it is fighting genocide.”
“A terror organization carries out the worst crime against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and now comes along someone to defend them in the name of the Holocaust. What chutzpah,” he said.
“South Africa’s hypocrisy cries out from the heavens. Where were you South Africa when millions of people were killed or displaced from their homes in Syria and Yemen, and by whom? By Hamas’s partners.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu asserted that Israel will “continue battling terrorists… until total victory.”
“We will continue to reject the lies, we will continue to protect our just right to defend ourselves and ensure our future,” he said.
Also, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich said the case against Israel is hypocritical.
“The Hague Court, like other international tribunals, are political bodies plagued with anti-semitism and are exposed time and time again in stunning shows of hypocrisy,” he said.
“The countries that sent the judges to the Hague are being exposed today in all their hypocrisy. Somalia, Uganda, Lebanon and other countries that ‘care’ for the people of Gaza – all you need to do to assist them is to open the gates of your countries, allow those who want to get out of Hamas prison in Gaza and take them in your countries.”
Bezalel Smotrich
Israel has accused South Africa of serving as the “legal arm” of Hamas, as lawyers presented Pretoria’s “genocide” case against Israel at the UN’s top court.
Foreign ministry spokesman, Lior Haiat described South Africa’s case over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip as “one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy in history.”
On the other hand, Hamas officials have expressed hope that the ICJ will rule favourably regarding South Africa’s case against Israel.
“We welcome the convening of the [case] … on the accusation of ethnic cleansing and genocide,” Basem Naim said.
He added, “We are looking forward to seeing a decision by the court that would achieve justice for the [Palestinian] victims, end the aggression on Gaza, and hold the war criminals accountable.”
For his part, Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, “The Palestinian people are following the court session in The Hague with great concern and interest. We urge the court to reject all pressure and take a decision to criminalise the Israeli occupation and stop the aggression on Gaza.”
HRW Says World Must Ensure Israel Abides By Any UN Court Ruling
The Head of Human Rights Watch praised South Africa for bringing Israel’s military campaign against Gaza to the ICJ and said the international community would be responsible for ensuring that Israel complies with any judicial decision.
“South Africa is providing important leadership here. It’s really using this important opportunity,” Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch said.
“If Israel does not comply with the measures or orders of the court, then it is up to the international community to ensure that they are leveraging whatever pressure that they can to encourage Israel to actually implement the measures.”
Tirana Hassan
Palestinian-American lawmaker, Rashida Tlaib and progressive Congresswoman, Cori Bush released a statement in support of the South Africa-initiated genocide proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice, saying that the United States has had a “devastating role in the ongoing violence in Gaza.”
“As one of the countries that has agreed to the Genocide Convention, the U.S must stop trying to discredit and undermine this case and the international legal system it claims to support,” the joint statement read.
It added, “Our commitment to supporting the human rights of all people must be unconditional.”
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