"South Africa brought the case in December 2023, arguing that Israel's war in Gaza violates the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Israel has rejected the allegations and criticised the case. While a final ruling could take years, the ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024 ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid."
"The court's orders are legally binding although it has no direct mechanism to enforce them. The ICJ also said Israel's presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and its policies amount to annexation. Israel has continued its assaults in Gaza and the occupied West Bank despite the rulings and growing international criticism while advancing plans to seize large parts of Palestinian territory."
"Meanwhile, the United States and several of its European allies continue to provide military and financial support to Israel. Washington has rejected the merits of South Africa's case, and US lawmakers have criticised the country and issued threats against it. The US has also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant."
Belgium filed a declaration of intervention in the International Court of Justice proceedings initiated by South Africa alleging genocide in the Gaza Strip. Several other countries have joined the proceedings. South Africa argues Israel's 2023 war in Gaza breaches the 1948 Genocide Convention; Israel rejects the allegations. The ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024 ordering actions to prevent genocide and ensure humanitarian access, and ruled Israel's occupation unlawful and its policies tantamount to annexation. Despite rulings, Israeli assaults and territorial plans continue while the United States and European allies provide military and financial support and oppose the case's merits.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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