Belgium Joins South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel at ICJ Over Gaza War
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Belgium has officially joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The move comes as part of ongoing legal efforts regarding Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The ICJ confirmed in a statement that Belgium submitted a ‘declaration of intervention’ to participate in the case. Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey, have previously joined the legal process initiated by South Africa in December 2023.
South Africa’s complaint argues that Israel’s war in Gaza violates the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. While a final ruling may take years, the ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024 ordering Israel to take steps to prevent genocide and ensure unimpeded humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. These orders are legally binding, though the court lacks direct enforcement mechanisms.
The ICJ has also previously described Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territories as illegal and characterized its policies as expansionist. Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, with Western allies including the United States maintaining military and financial support for Tel Aviv.
