A coalition of more than 100 international groups has come together to support South Africa’s case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza.
The newly formed International Coalition to Stop Genocide in Palestine, spearheading the initiative, released a compelling letter on Wednesday, urging governments worldwide to formally endorse South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case.
Scheduled for January 11–12, the ICJ hearing has gained significant traction. The coalition encourages governments to submit Declarations of Intervention in support of South Africa’s invocation of the Genocide Convention against Israel. Their aim is to enhance the probability of a positive finding of the crime of genocide being enforced by the United Nations.
Notable endorsers of this call include Progressive International, World Beyond War, the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation (PAL), PEN International-Palestine, and the National Lawyers Guild.
The letter emphasises South Africa’s assertion under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, contending that Israel’s actions are genocidal with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza within the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.
This call for international support follows South Africa’s formal claim to the ICJ, accusing Israel of breaching its obligations under the Genocide Convention. The death toll in Gaza, as reported, is staggering, with thousands feared dead under rubble and numerous casualties resulting from Israel’s military actions.
The coalition’s plea is underscored by alarming statements from high-level Israeli government officials explicitly expressing intentions to eradicate Gaza’s population. The letter details these statements, highlighting the urgency of holding Israel accountable under international law.
Suzanne Adely, president of the National Lawyers Guild, emphasises the global isolation of Israel and the U.S., signalling a pivotal moment for popular movements to influence their governments positively.
The U.S.’ recent veto on a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council underscores the need for more states to follow South Africa’s lead in holding Israel accountable. The letter concludes with a call for Declarations of Intervention to support South Africa’s filing, amplifying the urgency for international justice.