Minister Lamola expects more countries to support SA's ICJ case against Israel

CAPE TOWN - Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said he expects more countries to soon support South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Lamola briefed Parliament's portfolio committees on international relations and cooperation and justice today on the country's case to find Israel in contravention of the Genocide Convention.

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Several countries, including Brazil, Spain, Turkey, and the Republic of Ireland, have already asked to intervene in the case.

Ronald Lamola said the national government has taken proactive steps to engage with other states to support the cause of the Palestinian people. The Minister told the portfolio committees that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is not only dealing with the matter on a legal platform.

"Even at the A.U. level, South Africa continues to mobilise member states of the African Union to support this cause," he said.

Lamola added that countries in the West are also starting to support the case.
"We are also welcoming the fact that there are also other countries, even in the West, which are beginning to now see this through the eyes of South Africa, and they have done so in the last engagement of the recognition of a Palestinian state."

Brazil recently indicated its intention to support South Africa's case, along with 14 other countries against Israel.