International Courant
Israel has rejected South Africa’s accusations on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) that its actions in Gaza quantity to genocide, on a second day of a public listening to on the world physique in The Hague.
Israel’s authorized representatives claimed on Friday that South Africa’s case was “baseless”, “absurd” and amounted to “defamation”, saying Israel was not attempting to destroy a nation however to guard its individuals.
On Thursday, on the primary day of hearings, South Africa argued that Israel had dedicated “systematic” acts of genocide in Gaza, the place greater than 23,500 Palestinians have been killed throughout Israel’s navy marketing campaign, no less than 70 p.c of whom had been girls and youngsters. That is reported by the Gaza Ministry of Well being.
Israel’s arguments revolved round its “proper to self-defense” after Hamas’ assaults on October 7, and what the nation known as a scarcity of proof of “genocidal intent.”
Christopher Staker, a lawyer representing Israel, stated: “The inevitable fatalities and human struggling of any battle aren’t in themselves a sample of conduct that plausibly demonstrates genocidal intent.”
Malcolm Shaw, a professor of worldwide legislation representing Israel, stated the case solely issues allegations of genocide, which “stands alone amongst violations of worldwide legislation because the epitome of evil.” If the accusation of genocide is made incorrectly, “the essence of this crime could be misplaced,” he stated.
Shaw added that such proof was lacking from the arguments introduced by South Africa a day earlier.
Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a lawyer for South Africa, stated of his proof on Thursday: “The proof of genocidal intent shouldn’t be solely chilling, it’s overwhelming and irrefutable.”
‘Nice disconnect’
Israel’s authorized representatives confused that the navy has acted in accordance with worldwide legislation in Gaza and is working to restrict injury to the civilian inhabitants by warning of impending navy actions, together with via phone calls and leaflets.
Omri Sender, one other lawyer, argued that Israel’s efforts to facilitate humanitarian help to the individuals of Gaza mirrored its objective of defending the civilian inhabitants, moderately than destroying it.
Nonetheless, Thomas MacManus, a senior lecturer in state crime at Queen Mary College of London, advised Al Jazeera that the ICJ is prone to see a “big hole” between Israel’s portrayal of its humanitarian look after Gaza and “the truth on the bottom.” the place UN businesses say individuals are hungry, don’t have any water and are seeing assaults on hospitals, colleges and universities.”
Galit Raguan, appearing director of the Israeli Ministry of Justice’s worldwide justice division, refuted claims that Israel has bombed hospitals earlier than the ICJ listening to. She argued that Israel had discovered proof that Hamas was utilizing “each hospital in Gaza” for navy functions.
Responding to claims that hospitals had been getting used as navy bases, Palestinian International Ministry official Ammar Hijazi advised Al Jazeera outdoors The Hague that Israel’s arguments weren’t based mostly on information or legislation.
“What Israel has offered as we speak are most of the lies which have already been debunked,” he stated.
‘Believable proper to self-defense’
The Worldwide Courtroom of Justice will rule on 9 interim measures that basically intention to droop navy operations in Gaza, however no timeline has but been given for when that may occur. Israel has argued that the provisional measures can not require a state to chorus from exercising a “believable proper to defend itself.”
On the problem of jurisdiction, Israel argued that one of many necessities of the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice’s mandate is that the state bringing the case should first try and resolve this difficulty. In keeping with Israel, they failed to speak to South Africa earlier than taking this case to courtroom. South Africa, in flip, claimed it had contacted Israel however obtained no response.
The Israeli workforce has made sturdy “jurisdictional and procedural arguments,” stated Al Jazeera senior political analyst Marwan Bishara, however he added that “Israel has misplaced the ethical, factual, historic and humanitarian argument due to the way in which the state of affairs in Gaza has unraveled – with sheer dying and industrial homicide there.”
Tal Becker, the authorized adviser to Israel’s International Ministry, advised the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice listening to that South Africa had shut relations with Hamas and was due to this fact attempting to current a “distorted factual and authorized image”.
South Africa “strongly rejects” this declare, Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller stated from South Africa.
“The South African authorities has stated that it doesn’t have bilateral relations with Hamas and that its place by way of supporting the Palestinian wrestle towards the occupation doesn’t equate to supporting Hamas,” she stated.
Of their presentation on Thursday, South Africa’s legal professionals additionally condemned Hamas’ actions on October 7.
ICJ President Joan Donoghue ended the two-day listening to, saying the courtroom will announce its determination within the coming days.
Israel rejects prices of genocide in Gaza battle throughout ICJ listening to | Israeli Conflict on Gaza Information
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