UK's Labour govt says it's still undecided on SA's genocide case against Israel

CAPE TOWN - The United Kingdom’s new Labour government said it was still undecided on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel filed in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking in Cape Town on Tuesday, Britain’s new foreign secretary, David Lammy, said the partial suspension of arms exports to Israel had been guided by the importance of upholding international humanitarian law.

South Africa's ICJ case was part of bilateral talks with International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola.

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The Labour party's stance on Israel's war on Gaza has cost it support at the polls.

On Tuesday, UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, said it regretted having to stop the export of weapons that could end up in Gaza but his government was still mulling over South Africa's case filed in the ICJ.

"These are matters that take careful legal consideration and the UK government, of course, is giving that due consideration," Lammy said.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola welcomed Lammy’s response, saying it represented a turn in relations with the UK.

"In the past, we received serious rebuke but there's clear movement to consider it in a thoughtful way and look at it," Lamola said.

South Africa filed its main arguments in a 4,000-page memorial last week.