We intended to bring attention to the difficult situation in Palestine – South African FM

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has informed Ubuntu Radio that South Africa is optimistic about the upcoming International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearing on its genocide case against Israel. The ICJ will convene in The Hague to discuss potential emergency measures against Israel for alleged violations of the UN’s Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The 17-judge ICJ panel is expected to deliver their decision by the end of the day. Pandor highlighted that the case has brought attention to the suffering of innocent Palestinians and the need for justice and freedom.

She emphasized that the true assessment and judgment will be on the court itself, regardless of the outcome.

Pretoria had previously requested a preliminary ruling to halt Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which Israel has vehemently denied, calling for the case to be dismissed. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 25,000 deaths, mostly civilians, in Gaza, and at least 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals killed, along with 248 hostages taken in the initial assault by Palestinian armed groups.