ICJ Case – South Africa v. Israel – Genocide Accusation


Initiation of the Case

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice alleging violations in Gaza by Israel under the Genocide Convention. Following the Court’s 26 Jan 2024 ruling on provisional measures, Nicaragua, on 1 Mar 2024, commenced a separate ICJ case against Germany, also alleging violations of the Genocide Convention concerning Germany’s support of Israel’s military action against Hamas in Gaza.

ICJ web page on the case


Hearings were held by the Court on 11 and 12 Jan 2024 to consider South Africa’s application for provisional measures [Video and audio recordings are on this website and can be downloaded. In addition, there are links to UN Web TV].


The Court issued its ruling on the request for provisional measures on 26 Jan 2024.


Subsequent Requests for Additional Measures


South Africa Delivers Non-public Evidentiary Memorial to the Court (28 Oct 2024)


Intervention by Other States

  • Nicaragua – Request for Permission to Intervene (8 Feb 2024)
    • Court’s press release on the request – English     French
  • Colombia – Declaration of Intervention (5 Apr 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English     French
  • Libya – Declaration of Intervention (10 May 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English    French
  • Mexico – Declaration of Intervention (24 May 2024 – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English    French
  • Palestinian Authority – Request for Permission to Intervene (3 Jun 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the request – English     French
  • Spain – Declaration of Intervention (28 Jun 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English     French
  • Turkey – Declaration of Intervention (7 Aug 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English     French
  • Chile – Declaration of Intervention (12 Sep 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the Declaration – English     French
  • The Maldives – Declaration of Intervention (1 Oct 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the declaration – English      French
  • Bolivia – Declaration of Intervention (8 Oct 2024) – English
    • Court’s press release on the declaration – English       French
  • Ireland – Declaration of Intervention (6 Jan 2025) – English
    • Court’s press release on the declaration – English       French
  • Cuba – Declaration of Intervention (10 Jan 2025) – French
    • Court’s press release on the declaration – English       French
  • Belize – Request for Permission to Intervene and Declaration of Intervention (30 Jan 2025) – English
    Court’s press release on the request and declaration – English      French

Other Actions Related to the Case


Legal Background


Commentary, Analysis, Context