There is a growing tide of international support for South Africa’s filing at the International Court of Justice, charging Israel with genocide, on the eve of the ICJ hearing on Jan. 11-12. Among the most weighty was that of Brazil, a founding member of the BRICS and a leading proponent of peace in both Gaza and Ukraine.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Itamaraty, stated today that in light of the “flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, the President [Lula da Silva] stated his support for South Africa’s actions at the International Court of Justice to determine that Israel immediately cease all actions and measures that could constitute genocide or related crimes under the Convention for the prevention and repression of the crime of genocide.” The statement reports that Lula had met with Palestinian Ambassador Ibrahim Alzaben to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank after three months of the present crisis, and reviews Lula’s efforts on behalf of a ceasefire in Gaza.
Another statement of support for South Africa came today from the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry “which positively values the historic action undertaken by the Republic of South Africa against the State of Israel at the International Court of Justice” and in defense of the Palestinian people. It calls on the “entire international community” to support it “with an urgent call to respect life and human dignity.”
Al Jazeera published a useful summary of other initiatives over the recent period:
• The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): The 57-member bloc, which includes Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Morocco, voiced their support for the case on Dec. 30.
• Malaysia: In a statement released on Jan. 2, the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the South African application. It reiterated a call for an independent Palestinian state “based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
