Israel Calls South Africa's Claims About Genocide in Gaza Biased and False

Israel's representative at the ICJ hearing. (Twitter/@CIJ_ICJ)

JAKARTA - Israel's Foreign Ministry said South Africa 'conveyed biased and false claims' that 'relied on unreliable Hamas sources', related to allegations of genocide in Gaza submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday.

"Israel acted in accordance with international law and its humanitarian obligations," said a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry, reported by Reuters, May 17.

"While implementing measures to minimize harm to civilians and civilian facilities," the ministry continued.

The ministry also asked the International Court of Justice "to reject South Africa's appeal and end the abuse of the Court."

As previously reported, the ICJ held a hearing for two days starting yesterday, related to South Africa's request to request additional emergency measures to protect Rafah in southern Gaza, as part of a case alleging genocide in the Palestinian enclave.

South Africa urged the UN's top court on Thursday to order Israel to stop all its aggressive activities in the Gaza Strip, including attacks on Rafah, to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people.

South Africa's Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela asked the judge to order Israel to "immediately, totally and unconditionally, withdraw Israeli troops from the entire Gaza Strip."

South Africa's legal team told the court Israel's military campaign had killed tens of thousands of children and women, destroyed civilian infrastructure, and starved the population.

"From the start, Israel's intention was to destroy the lives of the Palestinian people and wipe them from the face of the earth. Rafah was the last resort," said Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, one of the legal team.

"Israel must be stopped. South Africa is again before you today to respectfully ask the court to use its powers, to order a settlement that will stop Israel," said Adila Hassim, another lawyer for South Africa.

Israel itself will respond in court this Friday.

In January, the court ordered Israel to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, allow more humanitarian aid, and preserve evidence of violations.

This week's hearing will focus only on emergency measures and it will likely take years before the court can rule on the underlying charges of genocide.

ICJ decisions and orders are binding and cannot be appealed. Although courts have no way to enforce them, an injunction against a country can damage that country's international reputation and set a legal precedent.