Cape Town, January 11, 2024 – A surge of unity surged through the streets of Cape Town as scores of people gathered in a powerful display of support for South Africa’s legal pursuit against Israel. The spirited crowd, armed with placards and banners, convened outside the High Court on Thursday, marking one of many planned demonstrations across the nation.
In an international legal showdown at the United Nations’ top court in The Hague, Pretoria’s legal representatives presented their case, urgently appealing for Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in Gaza.
On the steps of Cape Town’s High Court, impassioned pro-Palestinian demonstrators brandished signs declaring “Stop the genocide” and “Boycott apartheid Israel.” A chorus of “Free Palestine” echoed through the air, signaling the determination of those gathered. Additional rallies are anticipated in Cape Town and various other cities.
In The Hague, robed officials from South Africa and Israel engaged in a tense legal face-off at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa contends that Israel is violating its commitments under the UN Genocide Convention, asserting that the actions in Gaza seek to “bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnical group.”
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, emphasizing the gravity of the situation, stated, “This case is crucial to halt the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip” in an interview with national broadcaster SABC upon his arrival in The Hague to support the legal team.
In response, Israeli President Isaac Herzog dismissed the accusations as “atrocious” and “preposterous.” The historic ties between South Africa and the Palestinian cause, often linked to the struggle against apartheid by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, have resulted in the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel over its response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The aftermath of the attacks in Israel led to approximately 1,140 deaths, predominantly civilians, as per an AFP tally based on official figures. In retaliation, Israel unleashed a barrage on Gaza by land, sea, and air, resulting in over 23,000 casualties, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
