Belgium joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ | Israeli-Palestinian conflict News

Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkey, have already joined the case in The Hague.

Belgium has formally joined the file launched by South Africa in International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ICJ – the United Nations’ highest court based in The Hague – said Belgium had filed a declaration of intervention in the case.

Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkey, have already joined the work.

South Africa filed the complaint in December 2023, arguing that Israel’s war in Gaza violates the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Israel has rejected the allegations and criticized the case.

Although a final decision could take years, the ICJ issued interim measures in January 2024, ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

The court’s orders are legally binding, although it has no direct mechanism to enforce them.

The ICJ also declared that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal and that its policies amount to annexation.

Israel has continued its attacks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank despite growing international rulings and criticism, while pushing ahead with plans to seize large parts of Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, the United States and several of its European allies continue to provide military and financial support to Israel.

Washington has rejected the merits of South Africa’s case, and U.S. lawmakers have criticized the country and made threats against it.

The United States also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Belgium was also part of a group of countries that recognized the State of Palestine in September. Nearly 80 percent of UN member states now recognize Palestine.

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said, Israel has killed at least 406 Palestinians and injured 1,118 in the enclave. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the ministry said, at least 70,942 Palestinians have been killed and 171,195 injured.