South Africa today launched proceedings at the United Nations' highest court, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order the country to stop attacks on Palestinian territory.
As stated in the submission to the International Court of Justice, Israel's acts are of a "genocidal character" because they were committed with the intention to "destroy the Palestinians in Gaza as part of the wider Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group".
In addition, the court in The Hague is asked to issue a temporary order to Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza.
South Africa can file a claim under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide because both it and Israel are signatories to the convention.
Israel immediately rejected the filing of the contempt lawsuit, it said.
A hearing is expected in the coming days or weeks, and the case, if initiated, will drag on for years.
Israel's government has labeled South Africa's accusations of genocide a "blood libel."
In the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that the case has no legal basis and represents "vile exploitation and contempt of court".
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