On Wednesday, Turkey has announced its intention to formally submit a declaration of intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel regarding the war in Gaza. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the announcement on Monday during a news conference in Cairo. The submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague is expected to be made.
Turkey Joins South Africa’s Case
In May, Turkey declared its decision to join the case launched by South Africa, stepping up measures against Israel over its assault on Gaza. The Turkish government has since been preparing the necessary legal documentation to support its intervention in the case. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously stated in January that Turkey was providing documents for the case at the ICJ, also known as the World Court.
ICJ Orders Israel to Refrain from Genocidal Acts
The ICJ has ordered Israel to refrain from any actions that could be considered genocidal under the United Nations Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops do not commit genocidal acts against Palestinians. This follows South Africa’s accusation of state-led genocide by Israel in Gaza, initially brought to the ICJ in December. The conflict, which began in October, has resulted in a death toll nearing 40,000 according to health officials in Gaza.
Allegations and Reactions
South Africa’s case asserts that Israel has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, established post-Holocaust to prevent such crimes from recurring. Israel and its Western allies have dismissed the allegations as baseless. A final ruling from the ICJ could take years to be reached.
International Support
So far, 13 countries have joined or declared their intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The ICJ allows states to intervene in cases to provide their perspectives.
Turkey’s formal submission marks a significant step in the international legal battle over the Gaza conflict, highlighting the growing global scrutiny and legal challenges facing Israel’s actions in the region.