Ramaphosa: Ceasefire won't deter South Africa's genocide case against Israel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has insisted that the US-backed agreement to end the war in Gaza will not affect South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“We welcome the peace deal that has been struck, but it will have no bearing on the case that is before the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Under the terms of the agreement, a ceasefire came into effect on October 10.
Nevertheless, Ramaphosa emphasised that Pretoria’s legal action will press on.
“The case is proceeding, and it now has to go to the stage where Israel has to respond to our pleadings that have been filed in the court, and they have to do so by January of next year,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa launched the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The ICJ has already issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts and ensure humanitarian access, but critics argue Israel has not complied fully.
“We cannot go forward without the healing that needs to take place, which will also result from the case that has been launched being properly heard,” Ramaphosa added.
On September 16, the United Nations Human Rights Council / Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel found that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.
“The Commission concludes that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have had and continue to have the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” said the UN.
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