South Africa files genocide case against Israel at ICJ

South Africa files genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Subject : IR

Section: Int Org

Context: South Africa has  filed a case in the International Court of Justice (the ICJ) against Israel accusing it  of ‘genocidal acts’ and continued bombing in Gaza.

More on news: 

The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that more than 21,600 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s 70% of the total casualties comprises women and children.

Why did South Africa act against Israel?

Colonialism: South Africa, who bore the brunt of colonialism, has traditionally been sympathetic to the Palestinian plight.

Like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela spoke up strongly for the rights of the Palestinians.

UN’s Genocide Convention

First treaty: The UN Genocide Convention is the first human rights treaty.

Adoption: It was adopted by the United Nations  General Assembly on 9 December 1948 

Definition:Genocide means any acts committed with intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group which includes

(a) Killing members of the group; 

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; 

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; 

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; 

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

Action: Any Contracting Party may move to the competent organs of the United Nations to take action under the Charter of the United Nations.

Ratification: The Genocide Convention has been ratified or acceded to by 153 States(as of April 2022)

About India: India had participated in the formulation of Genocide Convention and ratified it in August 1959.

International Day:9 December is adopted as “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime” marks the adoption of the Genocide Convention.

About International Court Of Justice(ICJ)

Establishment: It was established in 1945 by the United Nations as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

Judicial organ: It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

Headquarters: It is headquartered at Peace Palace , Hague (Netherlands).

Panel of judges: Justice Dalveer Bhandari is one of the judges of the International Court of Justice.