DIRCO: Govt's legal team hard at work preparing genocide case against Israel

CAPE TOWN - The Department of International Relations (DIRCO) said that government’s legal team was hard at work gathering evidence and preparing the merits of its genocide case against Israel for the war on Gaza.

The merits of the case (memorial) are due to be filed in the International Court of Justice in October.

Minister Ronald Lamola has also welcomed the latest intervention application filed in the court by Türkiye, saying he believes it will add impetus to South Africa’s case.

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The Department of International Relations said there’s no legal, ethical or moral justification for Israel’s continuous attacks on schools, hospitals and holy sites that are being used a source of shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza. 

Government is once again calling on the United Nations to deploy a rapid protection force to protect the civilian population. 

Meanwhile, Minister Lamola said that the support from Türkiye, and at least six other nations, in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel was welcomed. 

"They bring a different and a unique perspective to what we have brought. They also have their own channel of information, of evidence, and also they may also want to bring a different legal perspective that we will believe will assist the court in arriving at its decision."

Government said it hoped Algeria’s call for an urgent UN Security Council meeting would have the desired effect of ensuring the ceasefire was implemented.