ICJ ruling 'better than expected' – SA government
The International Court of Justice delivered its interim ruling on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel on Friday.
South Africa's delegation take their seats in the International Court of Justice's Peace Palace in the genocide case against Israel on 11 January 2024. Picture: X/@Chrispin_JPhiri
Lester Kiewit speaks with Zane Dangor, Director-General (DG) of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
In the case against Israel at the ICJ, South Africa requested several emergency measures to prevent genocide in Gaza.
The court ruled in South Africa’s favour but stopped short of mandating a ceasefire.
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Instead, it ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide.
They also ordered that Israel must ensure the provision of urgent services and humanitarian aid to Gaza, and prevent the destruction of any evidence relating to the allegations of genocide.
Israel will have to submit a report to the court in one month to prove that they have complied with the ruling.
Dangor says the outcome was better than expected, and near-unanimous.
“Ending the genocide is a very strong order.”
- Zane Dangor, Director-General - Department of International Relations and Cooperation
“We saw this as a textbook case of genocide… we were dutybound to bring this to the attention of the ICJ.”
- Zane Dangor, Director-General - Department of International Relations and Cooperation