The German government has announced that it will speak in Israel’s defence as a third party before the ICJ and will deny charges that Israel is committing genocidal acts in Gaza.
“The Federal Government rejects the accusation of genocide made against Israel before the [ICJ]. It is unfounded,” German Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert said in a social media post.
Seibert announced, “In the main hearing Germany will therefore express its position as a third party.”
Seibert added, “We continue to support the work of the ICJ as we have for decades.”
German government Spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit disclosed in a statement that Germany would intervene as a third party before the International Court of Justice under an article allowing states to seek clarification on the use of a multilateral convention.
The move allows Germany to present its own case to the court that Israel has not infringed the genocide convention and has not committed or intended to commit genocide.
Germany is not claiming to be legally impacted by South Africa’s case and therefore it does not require the ICJ’s permission for third-party intervention.
As a signatory of the 1948 Genocide Convention, it has the right to join cases and put forward its arguments on the case.
Hebestreit stated, “In light of German history and the crimes against humanity of the Shoah, the German government is particularly committed to the [UN] Genocide Convention,” signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust.
He noted that the Convention marked a “central instrument” under international law to prevent another Holocaust.
For this reason, he said, “we stand firmly against a political instrumentalization” of the Convention.
Hebestreit acknowledged diverging views in the international community on Israel’s military operation against Hamas in Gaza.
“However the German government decisively and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide brought against Israel before the International Court of Justice,” he said.
“The accusation has no basis in fact,” he iterated.
An official from Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed appreciation to the German government after it announced that it would speak in Israel’s defence as a third party at the International Court of Justice.
The official called Germany a “true friend.”
The Prime Minister’s Office also announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau had spoken with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and thanked him for Berlin’s decision.
“Your stance and Germany’s stance on the side of the truth moves all the citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu told Scholz.
“The blood libel, which is full of hypocrisy and malice, must not be allowed to prevail over the moral principles shared by our two countries and the entire civilized world,” Netanyahu said.
Gaza Ceasefire “More Urgent Than Ever”
In other developments, UN human rights chief, Volker Turk renewed his call for a ceasefire as conditions for civilians in Gaza continue to deteriorate and Israel’s assault complicates efforts to deliver vital humanitarian assistance.
“On the conduct of hostilities, we have repeatedly highlighted Israel’s recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks,” a spokesperson for Turk’s office said in a press briefing, calling a ceasefire “more urgent than ever.”
The Spokesperson added, “The High Commissioner has stressed that breaches of these obligations risk exposure to liability for war crimes and has also warned of the risks of other atrocity crimes.”
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