ICJ TRIAL: SOUTH AFRICA ACCUSES ISRAEL OF GENOCIDE

This morning, 11 January 2024, South Africa took a bold stand before the whole world as it publicly accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This took place during the first of two days of public hearings being held at the International Court of Justice.

In this video clip, South African lawyer and legal scholar Tembeka Nicholas Ngcukaitob addresses the courtroom and the world, arguing Israel is clear about its genocidal intent toward Palestinians. He came prepared with evidence, including video clips of Israeli soldiers chanting, 'There are no uninvolved citizens,' which South Africa says reveals Israel is not aiming solely at H*m*s, but at civilians, as well. In the last three months, the Israeli military has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

South Africa's legal team stated during the opening of this trial that it relates deeply to the suffering of the Palestinian people and feels a moral obligation to speak up due to their own history under more than 40 years of apartheid. Palestine rallied behind South African freedom fighters by supplying material and political support during that time. More recently, South African parliamentarians voted to close the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and cut diplomatic ties with Israel. This came after South Africa recalled its ambassador and diplomats in Tel Aviv in early November in response to the 7 October escalation.