Will the World Court grant South Africa’s request?
If the World Court order’s Israel to stop its war on Gaza later today, it does not have powers to ensure the judgement is enforced.
South Africa and the rest of the world will today learn if the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also known as the World Court, will grant South Africa’s request for interim measures for Israel to seize its attack on Palestine.
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WORLD COURT JUDGEMENT TO BE DELIVERED MIDDAY
In December, South Africa approached the ICJ and accused Israel of contravening the Genocide Convention.
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The International Court of Justice #ICJ will deliver its Order on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case #SouthAfrica v. #Israel this Friday, 26 January 2024, at 1PM #TheHague
🎥 Follow the proceedings live on @PresidencyZA… pic.twitter.com/LK9GzpKlBE
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 24, 2024
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Today’s judgements, will be delivered by Judge Joan E Donoghue, who is the President of the Court, in a public sitting at 12pm midday (South African time).
The Court Order comes after the ICJ, heard arguments over two days earlier this month.
South Africa was represented by world renowned international law expert John Dugard SC, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, Max Du Plessis SC and Adila Hassim SC. They were joined by external counsels from the UK, advocates Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC and Vaughan Lowe KC.
SOUTH AFRICA’S GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS
The government alleges that Israel has committed genocidal acts and that it’s senior government officials have incited genocide unabated.
In its 84-page application filed in December, South Africa has claimed that since Israel began its attack on Gaza on 7 October 2023:
- 21 110 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 7 729 children.
- 55 243 Palestinians have been injured, including at least 8 663 children, of whom over 1 000 are amputees, disabled for life
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In a statement, the Department of International Relations, “South Africa is requesting that the ICJ grant interim injunctions, including that Israel immediately cease its military operations in Gaza, take reasonable measures to prevent the genocide of Palestinians, ensure that the displaced return to their homes and have access to Humanitarian assistance.”
According to the department, the humanitarian assistance includes adequate food, water, fuel, medical and hygiene supplies, shelter and clothing.