The conflict between Israel and Gaza continues to cause serious concern around the world. As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appeals to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to denounce Israeli aggression in Rafah, it is time to take stock of the situation.
According to presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, South Africa has submitted an urgent request to the ICJ to examine whether Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Rafah violates the rights of Palestinians in Gaza. Rafah is the last refuge for Gaza civilians trying to escape the violence and destruction.
Israel has come under heavy criticism for using excessive force against Palestinians in Rafah. Israel’s allies, such as British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and US President Joe Biden, have condemned the bombings. In a recent speech, Cameron asked Israel to think seriously before taking any further action in Rafah, while Biden called on Israel to abandon its offensive plans.
The British government abstained from voting in the United Nations Security Council to condemn the war in Gaza, while the United States is the only country with the right to veto actions targeting Israel. In contrast, South Africa has actively supported the Palestinian cause in international forums.
In December, the South African government achieved a decisive victory against Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration at the ICJ, when the Court found it plausible that Israel’s behavior in Gaza constituted genocide.
South Africa’s request to the ICJ refers to Article 75(1) of the Rules of Court, which states that the ICJ may, at any time, decide on its own initiative to examine whether the circumstances of the case requires interim measures which must be taken or respected by either party.
The seriousness of the situation in Rafah is underlined in the South African request, which indicates that Israel’s unprecedented military offensive against Rafah has already resulted and will continue to result in numerous deaths, injuries and destruction. According to South Africa, this would constitute a serious and irreparable violation of both the Genocide Convention and the Court’s Order of 26 January 2024.
It is essential that the ICJ treats this matter with the utmost urgency, given the daily number of victims in Gaza. The request argues that interim measures must be taken to protect Palestinian civilians and stop the escalation of violence.
As South Africa takes the lead in denouncing these human rights violations, it is important that the international community mobilizes to end this cycle of violence. It is time that peaceful and lasting solutions are found to guarantee the security and dignity of all people in the region. The world cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities, and it is our duty to raise our voices to end this needless violence.