Amidst the growing turmoil in the Red Sea region, Jordan has pointed fingers at Israel, labeling their actions against Palestinians as “war crimes” responsible for escalating tensions. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed concern over the potential for a broader Middle East conflict and threw support behind South Africa’s accusations of “genocide” against Israel in the United Nations’ highest court.
Dismissing Israel’s denial of war crimes and rejecting South Africa’s claims as “grossly distorted,” Jordan asserted its readiness to present legal documents and testify if the case proceeds. The diplomatic tension heightened following the U.S. and Britain’s strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, responding to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Safadi criticized the international community for failing to curb what he referred to as Israeli “aggression” against Palestinians, emphasizing the threat it posed to regional security. He argued that the stability and security of the region were interlinked, presenting the international community with a moral, legal, and security dilemma.
“The international community stands at a crossroads,” Safadi stated. “It must either intervene to halt Israel’s aggressive actions, protecting civilians, or allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers to drag us into a regional war, endangering global peace.”
Accusing Israel of pushing the region towards further conflict, Safadi contended that the Israeli military’s actions against Gaza’s civilians met the legal definition of genocide. Jordan pledged support to South Africa in its case against Israel, committing to submitting legal documentation and appearing in court should the case be accepted. The situation remains tense as the international community grapples with the complexities of the Middle East conflict.
