Colombia Drags Israel To ICJ About Genocide In Gaza

Legal illustration (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Colombia has officially joined South Africa to sue Israel to the International Court (ICJ) on charges of carrying out genocide in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations' judiciary said.

Citing Antara, on Thursday, April 4, Colombia's Ambassador to Uruguay Juan Jose Quintana Charoharen told Sputnik that his government urged all countries to sign the genocide convention to unite in the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel.

"Today, Colombia, based on Article 63 of the Court Statute, delivered an intervening statement on the Implementation of Conventions on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide Crimes in the Gaza Strip (South Africa versus Israel)," read the ICJ statement.

Colombia in its declaration said the Genocide Convention was the main instrument of international law and that the case raised by the country against Israel focused on "important issues" regarding the interpretation and application of the provisions in the convention, the ICJ said.

South Africa itself filed a lawsuit against Israel on December 29, 2023.

Then on January 26, ICJ issued a temporary decision in the form of an order to Israel to immediately take steps that could prevent genocide.

ICJ also ordered Israel to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip runs smoothly.

However, the ICJ did not order the relevant parties to carry out a ceasefire in Gaza.

In early March, South Africa asked the ICJ to issue other actions against Israel to tackle widespread hunger among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which is blockaded by Israel.

Another lawsuit against Israel related to genocide was filed by Nicaragua in early March. The ICJ will consider the lawsuit next week.