Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is set to stand alongside a South African government delegation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where the country is bringing a case against Israel, alleging genocide against the people of Palestine.
According to a statement from Pretoria, the South African delegation, led by Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola, will include “senior political figures from progressive political parties and movements across the globe,” with Mr. Jeremy Corbyn prominently mentioned.
Mr. Lamola expressed determination to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza, stating, “We are most encouraged by leaders of the world who have not blunted their consciousness and have stood on the right side of history by supporting a case that seeks to protect the rights of human beings, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity.”
In his call to the UK Parliament earlier this week, Jeremy Corbyn urged support for South Africa’s process, emphasising the dire situation in Gaza and praising the South African government’s initiative to hold Israel accountable for the deaths of innocent people.
Corbyn, who previously refrained from explicitly terming Hamas a “terrorist group,” acknowledged it as such in November. He criticised both sides, accusing the Israeli army of committing acts of terror and highlighting Hamas’s actions.
While UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron expressed concerns about potential breaches of international law by Israel in the Middle East conflict, he opposed the ICJ case, stating that he doesn’t think it’s right.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog called the ICJ case atrocious and preposterous, emphasising Hamas’s call for the destruction of Israel in their charter, and he thanked the US for its support.
Public hearings at the ICJ are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Peace Palace in The Hague.