President Cyril Ramaphosa watches as the International Court of Justice delivers its verdict on interim measures in South Africa's case against Israel during Friday's NEC meeting.
- Nicaragua has requested to join South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
- The ICJ confirmed on Thursday that Nicaragua had submitted its application on January 23.
- It says it wants to get involved in this issue to ensure that Israel is held accountable for possible genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Nicaragua has asked to formally join South Africa's genocide lawsuit against Israel, the United Nations Supreme Court announced Thursday, with Managua claiming it had an “interest of a legal nature” in a hotly contested hearing.
The Central American country last month announced plans to comply with Pretoria's application, dragging Israel to the International Court of Justice.
South Africa, which has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 UN Genocide Convention over its military operation in Gaza, which stemmed from the October 7 attack by Hamas. did.
Managua filed its own application on January 23, and the Hague-based ICJ confirmed it on Thursday.
The ICJ stated that in its application for permission to intervene, Nicaragua “has interests of a legal nature arising from the rights and obligations imposed on all States Parties to the Genocide Convention.'' .
Managua said the judgment was made out of “the universal character of both the condemnation of genocide and the cooperation required “to liberate humanity from such an abhorrent scourge,'' the court said in a press release.
Two weeks ago, the court's judges said Israel must stop genocide in its war with Hamas, issuing a series of emergency measures, but stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting.
In its own application, Nicaragua ruled that Israel had “violated and continues to violate its obligations under the Genocide Convention” and “has committed acts that have killed or are likely to continue to kill Palestinians.” asked the judge to suspend the measures.
A suitable trial to determine whether Israel actually violated the Genocide Convention in its military operations is likely to still take months, if not years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the lawsuit as “outrageous” and said Israel would not comply with any judgment, even one in The Hague, saying “no one will stop us”. suggested.
