South Africa vs Israel Genocide Convention
International Court of Justice
Last week, a major event took place when the Republic of South Africa brought forth charges of genocide against Israel. South Africa vs Israel is a Genocide Convention case that got underway on 1/11/24 at the International Court of Justice, located at The Hague in the Netherlands. The South Africa vs Israel case was filed on 12/29/23.
The proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel on 29 December 2023, officially known as South Africa v. Israel, allege that Israel has committed, and is committing, genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in violation of the Genocide Convention.
The Genocide Convention is an international treaty, obligating countries to prohibit genocidal acts that could be harmful to another group of people or humanity as whole.
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG), or the Genocide Convention, is an international treaty that criminalizes genocide and obligates state parties to pursue the enforcement of its prohibition. It was the first legal instrument to codify genocide as a crime, and the first human rights treaty unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, on 9 December 1948, during the third session of the United Nations General Assembly.[1] The Convention entered into force on 12 January 1951 and has 152 state parties as of 2022.
In Genocide Convention cases, the International Court of Justice allows each country to present 3 hours of opening remarks to present the basis and defense for the case being heard by the court. The ICJ convened on 1/11/24 to hear opening remarks from South Africa and Israel.
Multiple representatives from South Africa presented opening remarks on 1/11/24. A video of the 1/11/24 court proceedings can be accessed on UN WebTV.
Multiple representatives from Israel presented opening remarks the next day on 1/12/24. A video of the 1/12/24 court proceedings can be accessed on UN WebTV.
About 20 minutes into South Africa’s opening remarks on 1/11/24, Ms. Adila Hassim, one of several representatives that spoke, stated this:
For the past 96 days, Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare. (27:48 minute mark)
Another South African representative suggested that these acts of genocide date back to 1948 or approximately 75 years ago. He was basically restating this excerpt taken straight from South Africa vs Israel.
South Africa's submission places the charges in what it describes as the broader context of Israel's conduct towards Palestinians, including what it described as a 75-year apartheid, 56-year belligerent occupation and 16-year blockade of the Strip.
Plainly stated, South Africa is bringing genocide claims against Israel dating all the way back to when Israel, or the State of Israel, declared its independence in 1948.
The late 19th century saw the rise of Zionism, a movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, during which the Zionists began purchasing land in Palestine. Under the British Mandate placed by the League of Nations after World War I, Jewish immigration to the region increased considerably, leading to tensions between Jews and the Arab majority population. The UN-approved 1947 partition plan triggered a civil war between these two peoples. The British terminated the Mandate on 14 May 1948, and Israel declared independence on the same day.
On 1/12/24, Israel’s 2nd speaker, Professor Malcolm Shaw, responded to these claims.
South Africa casts its net widely. In its application, it uses the word “context” many times. In particular, it declares that “…it is important to place the acts of genocide in the broader context of Israel’s conduct towards the Palestinians during its 75-year long apartheid.” Leaving aside the outrageous nature of that statement, why stop at 75 years? Why not refer to 1922, and the approval by the council of the League of Nations of the British mandate? Or 1917, the proclamation of the Balfour Declaration? Maybe also, include the entry into the land of Israel or the Israelite tribes some 3,500 years ago. No! (1:04 minute mark)
Professor Malcolm Shaw’s comments clearly attempted to make the broad based claims of South Africa sound absurd. His comments also exposed Israel’s intense desire to narrow these Genocide Convention proceedings to just the events of October 7, 2023 and the days following.
Back in October, our team shared this article on the Balfour Declaration of 1917 for those interested in understanding the historical context a little more.
This case of South Africa vs Israel gets very interesting as the 1947 “partition plan” that the UN approved could be deemed an unlawful land grab. Plainly stated, Palestine could be the rightful owners of all of Israel, not just Gaza. This is the map of the Gaza Strip that South Africa’s legal team presented to the court.
Does the land referred to as the “Gaza Strip” belong to Israel or Palestine? Who is defending what?
Some sources have been reporting that South Africa is now fully supported by over 60 countries. It is prudent to note that Palestine is a recognized country on this list.
The US and UK appear to be standing alongside the State of Israel. Al Jazeera shared this story on 1/9/24 detailing the list of countries who were supporting South Africa 2 days prior to the hearing start date on 1/11/24.
Which countries back South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ? (1/9/24)
The list of supporting countries appears to be growing and quite quickly.
Meanwhile back in the US, the MSM is propping up the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League to inform Americans that anti-semitism must be stopped at all costs. Stew Peters recently posted a video on 1/9/24 in which CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stated that “anti-Zionism is genocide.” And we apparently need to believe that “Zionist-owned businesses do not exist,” per a prior interview on MSNBC on 12/15/23.
It sounds like someone may have been given an order to get the US college campuses in line, huh? Marches “for Palestine” are being reported in nations across the globe, but these marches “for Palestine” must be stopped here in the US.
These statements from the ADL CEO are quite alarming, knowing that these Genocide Convention proceedings are underway. It would appear that Americans are NOT allowed to even consider the claims being brought to light by South Africa. Why is that?
Simultaneously, while these Genocide Convention proceedings were happening, Putin was calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, claiming that the US and UK bombings in Yemen are a violation of the United Nations charter.
Russia calls for UNSC emergency session (1/11/24)
Russia calls for UNSC meeting after U.S. and Britain strike Yemen (1/12/24)
As our subscribers might recall, the UN Security Council already met for an emergency session on or around 12/11/23 or 30 days earlier.
Sounds like WWIII could be brewing? After all, it is an election year, correct? Per Belarusian President Lukashenko on 1/12/24, it sounds like the world is about to witness some turbulence.
I would like to warn you: the world is on the eve of grandiose events. We are in a precarious situation today. It is like walking on thin ice. One careless move - and we can sink and cause the state to capsize. In all likelihood, this year will be very dramatic," the BelTA news agency quotes Lukashenko as saying. (1/12/24)
The International Court of Justice will deliver its ruling on the Genocide Convention case of South Africa vs Israel as soon as able. Stay tuned!
The Senior Busch's "New World Order" is stretching for the "Brass Ring" in the Merry Go
Round for control of the world. Look to things like those in Obama's "Leave the World Behind" (Netflix).. Reference also "Brave New World", "Soylent Green", "1984"! Listen for the knock on your door!