By Ning Chang
On Friday 29th December, South Africa filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) requesting urgent action on the violence in Gaza, accusing Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention and committing “genocidal acts.”
When the news broke, I, like so many people, felt a sense of relief. It felt like an international authority was finally taking notice, and there would be greater potential for a sustainable peace and an end to the escalating violence. But without a knowledge of what this really means when it comes to the practicalities of international law, I’m afraid that some people might have been too optimistic with what this might mean in the grand scheme of things.
So let’s take it apart, piece by piece:
What did the case say, and what did Israel have to say about it?
Do they have a plausible case for genocide in front of the ICJ?
Why did South Africa file? Why didn’t Palestine?
If they rule in favour of South Africa, does this mean that Israel will stop military action? Will they be held accountable by the ICJ?
Will Netanyahu or other Israeli leaders at least go to trial? What about Hamas’ human rights violations?
By Ning Chang