The Indonesian Foreign Minister Will Talk At The ICJ International Court Regarding Allegations Of Israel's Genocide In Gaza

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered Indonesia's national statement at the UN General Assembly Session to discuss the situation in Gaza, in New York, USA, Tuesday (28/11/2023). BETWEEN/HO-Kemlu RI/am.

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will present her verbal opinion (oral statement) in front of the International Court (ICJ) on February 19, in a trial related to a lawsuit filed by South Africa against alleged Israeli genocide crimes in Gaza.

"The presence of Foreign Minister Retno is intended to encourage the Court to provide a legal opinion (advisory opinion) as requested by the UN General Assembly," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lalu Muhamad Iqbal.

"Basically and politically, Indonesia fully supports South Africa's legal efforts at the International Court on the alleged genocide of Israel in Gaza. However, Indonesian law cannot take part in suing because the basis for the lawsuit is the Genocide Convention in which Indonesia is not a party country," Iqbal said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 9.

On the other hand, on December 30, 2022, the UN General Assembly has asked the International Court's opinion of the state and legal consequences' of Israel's occupation of Palestine.

Advisory opinion is the legal opinion given by ICJ at the request of a body or state.Advisory opinion is not legally binding, but can have significant political and legal influence.

UN agencies such as the General Assembly and the UN Security Council can ask ICJ for legal opinion on any legal issues.

The general trial regarding the request for ICJ's legal opinion is planned to start in February 2024 in The Hague, Netherlands.

Previously, several countries such as Malaysia and Turkey welcomed the start of the legal process against Israel filed by South Africa at the International Court regarding the 1948 Genocide Convention that involved Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also supports the South African move through its official statement.

On the other hand, the United States views South Africa's decision to drag the genocide case Israel allegedly committed to the ICJ as a futile act.

Washington also considers the action "inappropriate, counterproductive, and has absolutely no basis whatsoever."