The International Criminal Court (ICC) said in a statement this Friday. South Africa filed a complaint against Israel for allegedly committing “genocide” in the Gaza StripAlthough Israeli authorities do not recognize the jurisdiction of this court.
According to documents submitted by South Africa, “Israel’s actions and omissions (…) are genocidal because they are committed with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza as part of the national group (…) The ICC states that “Palestine’s racial and ethnic origin,” he said.
South Africa adds: “Israel’s conduct, through state organs, state officials and other persons and entities acting under its instructions or direction, control or influence, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza.” violates its obligations under the Genocide Convention“, according to the statement made by the ICC.
The South African Government, which announced that it had cut off diplomatic relations with Israel due to its attack on Sharia in retaliation for the terrorist attack carried out by the Islamist group Hamas on October 7, had previously publicly announced that it would file a complaint with the ICC. .
Additionally, last November, Bangladesh, along with Bolivia, East Africa, Comoros and Djibouti, requested the Prosecutor’s Office to fulfill this request. open an investigation.
The court prosecutor then said that he had been conducting an investigation into crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory since 2021, “covering conduct that may constitute Rome Statute crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank since 13 June 2014.” and extends to “the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks on 7 October.”
Israel does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
The documents, now handed over by Johannesburg, state that “Israel has participated, is participating, and risks further participation in acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
“South Africa seeks to base the Court’s jurisdiction on Article 36, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the Court and Article IX of the Genocide Convention, to which both South Africa and Israel are parties,” the Court said. said.
South Africa’s complaint includes preventive measures “To be protected from additional, serious and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people.” Genocide“ and “to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations to non-participate in, prevent and punish such crimes.”