South Africa vs Israel Genocide Convention
International Court Of Justice (Updated 7/22/24)
Our team has been doing its best to share regular updates on this Genocide Convention case. Despite the US MSM choosing to provide little or no coverage on this international case, leaving the majority of the US population completely in the dark, we have decided to shine the light on it. In the end, knowledge is power, and an informed citizenry is simply stronger.
For our newest subscribers, we might suggest that you read a few of the posts that our team compiled earlier on this topic. Today’s post represents volume 5 in this series.
This update is timely as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is about to take center stage as he is scheduled to speak before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, 7/24.
As a result of this upcoming event and the recent rulings by the International Court of Justice, our “Maha Collective” team of citizen journalists thought that an update on this story would be especially timely.
Per Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, several Democrats plan to boycott Netanyahu speaking at the joint session of Congress. Mike Johnson has also announced that an extra number of sergeant at arms will be standing in the ready position during this joint session of Congress to make arrests should protesters attempt to disrupt the proceedings. Here is the video clip of Mike Johnson speaking from the Embassy of Israel.
To kick off this July update on the South Africa vs Israel Genocide Convention case, it seemed timely to first clarify this question.
How is the International Criminal Court (ICC) different from the International Court of Justice (ICJ or “World Court”) and other existing international tribunals?
The International Court of Justice (ICJ or World Court) is a civil tribunal that hears disputes between countries. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a criminal tribunal that will prosecute individuals. Both are located at the Hague in the Netherlands. The ICJ is the successor of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was established in 1920 by the League of Nations. After the Second World War, the League of Nations and the PCIJ were replaced by the United Nations and ICJ, respectively.
The ICJ and ICC are often woven together or confused to be the same thing as they are both located at the Hague in the Netherlands.
It is important to understand that the ICJ and ICC simple play different roles when dealing with international disputes.
Before we delve into the most recent developments, let’s briefly review the case ruling from January. Two days of public hearings were held on 1/11/24 and 1/12/24. The ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent any acts contrary to the 1948 Genocide Convention, but did not order Israel to suspend its military campaign.
Fast forward 6 months…..
On 6/6/24, it was announced that Aharon Barak was resigning from his position as Israeli’s Ad Hoc Judge on the ICJ. Several news sources reported this, including the Times of Israel and BRICS News.
Think logically. Why would an Israeli Judge step down at such a critical time in this international case between South Africa (and many other nations) and Israel? Yes, we fully understand that the stories are indicating that he is stepping down for personal reasons, but really? And perhaps more importantly, why would Israel choose to NOT replace him on the world court? Why give up the only representation that you have? This makes little or NO logical sense, unless Israel has no legal grounds for representation.
With arrest warrants pending for Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, wouldn’t it seem logical to maintain any and all positions of representation on both the ICJ and ICC?
Here is the statement made by Karim A.A. Khan at the ICC on 5/20/24.
Today I am filing applications for warrants of arrest before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court in the Situation in the State of Palestine.
This brings us to the here and now. On 7/12/24, the ICJ put out this press release, notifying the public that an advisory opinion would be issued by the ICJ on 7/19/24.
(An advisory opinion was sought to help…) sort out the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
Advisory opinions are usually meant to advise another party. In this case, the other party is the UN General Assembly.
On Friday, 7/19, the ICJ made its lengthy advisory opinion public, for all to see. Should you wish to read the entire advisory opinion to draw your own conclusions, the complete 83-page advisory opinion from 7/19 is readily accessible via the ICJ website.
Here is the list of the conclusions, with voting results, taken from pages 78 and 79. We have highlighted just two of the conclusions below so they are easier to read.
(The ICJ…) is of the opinion that the State of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful;
(The ICJ…) is of the opinion that the United Nations, and especially the General Assembly, which requested this opinion, and the Security Council, should consider the precise modalities and further action required to bring to an end as rapidly as possible (to) the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Should you have little or no interest in reading the entire 83-page document, the press release from 7/19 also details the list of conclusions.
Here are some of the news headlines that came out on Friday, 7/19 right after this advisory opinion was read out by the court.
ICJ finds Israel in breach of international law | Aljazeera (7/19/24)
World Court: Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, West Bank is illegal and must end | Times of Israel (7/19/24)
Based on our team’s preliminary review of the court’s advisory opinion, it has become even more clear that the “state” of Israel (and more than likely its allies, namely the US and UK) is facing legal consequences for actions taken in the Palestinian territory. However, it does remain somewhat unclear if we are talking about heinous actions that date back years and years or if we are talking about “reactionary” actions taken since 10/7/23.
Per this excerpt from page 7, it would appear that the ICJ advisory opinion covers at least 57 years.
What are the legal consequences arising from the ongoing violation by Israel of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, from its prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures?
Since the beginning of these Genocide Convention proceedings, those representing the “state” of Israel have been arguing that Israel had the right to defend itself after the alleged Hamas attack on 10/7/23. The US MSM and several social media outlets followed suit and have nearly demanded that all Americans support Israel in its efforts to “defend itself” from Hamas terrorists…..and to think otherwise would be considered “radical.”
However, South Africa has been arguing that the “state” of Israel had no right to genocide the Palestinian people or lay claim to any part of the Palestinian territory. Those representing South Africa have claimed that the genocidal atrocities and human rights violations date back at least 57 years to 1967 and possibly all the way back to 1948 when the “state” of Israel was established or even further back to the Balfour Declaration and British mandates from 1917.
The primary question before us now is this.
Are we talking about genocidal atrocities that date back 10 months (Israel only) or genocidal atrocities that date back 50-100 years (Israel, US, UK, etc.)?
Remember the topic at hand. We are talking about genocidal acts being committed against a group of people with the same God-given rights as all of us so a genuine concern for humanity should be emanating forth from each one of us after becoming aware of this Genocide Convention case.
Why are Americans so “comfortably numb” on the incredibly disturbing topic of genocide? Have we become so arrogant that we could never even begin to fathom that many of our US leaders could be directly involved? The US is the “state” of Israel’s #1 ally, correct? Yet, we can tell ourselves that our US hands are clean even if the “state” of Israel’s hands might be quite dirty?
Pro-Israel Republican Congressman Brian Mast recently stated this.
America doesn't recognize the International Criminal Court, but the court sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target our allies.
Is he suggesting that Biden will use the Hague Invasion Act to free Benjamin Netanyahu from any arrest enacted upon as a result of the ICC warrants?
US lawmakers threaten ICC with 'The Hague Invasion Act' - but what is it? (5/27/24)
The American Service-Members' Protection Act (Aspa), informally called The Hague Invasion Act, was included in the now little-remembered Supplemental Congressional Appropriations Act, signed into law in 2002 by US President George Bush, in response to the 11 September attacks.
When you pause and reflect for a few minutes, it becomes quite clear that propaganda and censorship are powerful tools. When they are mixed together, they create a smoke-filled cloud, encompassing an entire nation, that can skew a person’s view so much so that he/she can’t see the forest from the trees. When the fog begins to lift, a person suddenly begins to see more clearly.
This fact remains, as detailed on page 25 of the advisory opinion published on 7/19.
On 10 May 2024, the General Assembly adopted resolution ES-10/23 in which it “[d]etermines that the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations and should therefore be admitted to membership in the United Nations.
To refresh, the US vetoed Palestine’s request to join the UN after which the General Assembly adopted the above resolution.
Think logically. Why would the US stop Palestine from being recognized as a member of the United Nations? Is the US playing offense or defense with this move?
Despite the US vetoing Palestine’s request for membership in the United Nations, Palestine continues to seek membership in the BRICS bloc of nations. And it certainly appears that Palestine is receiving full support from the BRICS bloc.
BRICS: Will Palestine Join The Alliance After UN Rejection? (4/18/24)
The (BRICS) bloc has been an ally of Palestine, and they issued special resolutions in favor of the country in July 2023.
And what actions have been taken by the UN Security council per page 25 of ICJ’s advisory opinion issued on 7/19?
On 10 June 2024, the Security Council adopted resolution 2735 (2024), whereby it reiterated “its unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions, and in this regard stresse[d] the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.”
All this being said, you can already see where this is going. The state of Palestine and its borders/boundaries are being reestablished and Palestine will soon be fully recognized as its own sovereign nation. In our humble opinion, it would certainly appear that the land grab known as the Balfour Declaration of 1917 will soon be deemed null and void.
We are just wondering who the “regime” is exactly that is closely associated with “Israeli settlements,” as referenced on page 47.
In light of the above, the Court reaffirms that the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the régime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law
Will the world be utterly shocked when arrest warrants are acted upon involving Benjamin Netanyahu and/or the “regime” responsible for genocidal acts that date back to 1967 or prior? Or will this “breaking news” be “softly” covered or go completely uncovered by most of the US MSM, resulting in yet another collective, boredom- filled yawn from “We The People” in America?
All our team can suggest is to pay very close attention on Wednesday, 7/24. Fireworks are quite likely when Benjamin Netanyahu takes center stage at the joint session of Congress.
By the way, the US Debt Clock updated its profile logo on Twitter/X on 7/19. You tell us. Do you see a stout resemblance between the joint session of congress logo and the new US Debt Clock profile logo now displayed on Twitter/X?
At the end of the day, one fact remains clear to our team. The US MSM is truly the enemy of “We The People.” As the saying goes, know your enemy!
