Genocide or justified?

South Africa begins its case in the World Court for Israel to stop military operations in Gaza

- By Allan Woods

South Africa minister Ronald Lambola confers with ambassador Vusimuzi Madonsela.

South Africa argued before the World Court on Thursday that Israel is committing a genocide of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and must be ordered to stop its military operations.

Citing the massive Palestinian death toll since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, the withholding of food, water, electricity and aid, forced displacement and, above all, a series of "genocidal utterances" from Israeli government officials, a panel of lawyers said it was vital the International Court of Justice take up the accusation that Israel's military operation puts it in breach of the 1948 Genocide Convention, a United Nations treaty.

"Some might say that the very reputation of international law, its ability and willingness to bind and to protect all people equally, hangs in the balance," lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh told a panel of jurists.

Tal Becker, a legal adviser to Israel, along with Britisj jurist Malcolm Shaw, right.

The hearing took place hours before the spectre of another escalation to the war emerged, as U.S. and British forces launched a massive retaliatory attack against Iranianbacked Houthis in Yemen. The militant group had been attacking maritime vessels in the Red Sea in an attempt to force an end to Israel's war effort.

Thursday's hearing was dedicated to hearing South Africa's claim. Israeli lawyers will argue their case Friday. An initial decision on whether the court will agree to hear the case a potentially years-long affair is still likely weeks away.