Proceedings before the ICJ

South Africa’s government accuses Israel of “apartheid”

South Africa's delegation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)(Bild: AFP)

South Africa's government has accused Israel of "a worse form of apartheid" than in the past in its own country. It was referring to the occupation of Palestinian territories. This week, hearings on the effects of the occupation since 1967 are taking place at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

In December 2022, the UN General Assembly had already requested an "advisory opinion" from the ICJ. This is intended to shed light on the "legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem". However, the report is not binding. Representatives from the USA, Russia and China, among others, will have their say at the hearings this week. A total of 52 states are expected to make statements.

South Africa's delegation in The Hague(Bild: AFP)

Written statement from Israel
No one from Israel is attending the oral hearing in the Netherlands, but a written statement has been submitted. In it, the questions put to the court are described as "biased" and "tendentious". The proceedings, which opened on Monday, are aimed at "impairing Israel's right to defend itself against existential threats", according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The conflict should be resolved through negotiations anyway.

Several motions tabled
The accusation of apartheid was made for the second time in the proceedings. On Monday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malik spoke of "colonialism and apartheid" (see video above).

Last December, South Africa's government also accused Israel of "genocide" before the ICJ. The court then ordered Israel to protect the Palestinian civilian population during its military operation and to allow humanitarian aid. A renewed application by South Africa against Israel due to the upcoming military offensive in Rafah was rejected.

A decision by the ICJ would not be binding, it could merely increase the pressure on Israel.