What’s likely to happen today as the ICJ hears South Africa’s case of genocide against Israel

Both countries have two hours each to present their arguments during a public hearing on provisional measures. A decision is likely only a month or two later.

Jan 11, 2024 - 00:30

What’s likely to happen today as the ICJ hears South Africa’s case of genocide against Israel

The International Court of Justice will be holding public hearings on January 11-12 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the court, in a case brought by South Africa against Israel. South Africa has accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention in its military bombardment and siege of Gaza, which started after the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Both Israel and South Africa have ratified the genocide convention. The Conversation asked human rights and international law expert Magnus Killander for his insights.

What is the International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice, or ICJ, is one of many international courts. It is the most prominent and widely regarded as the most authoritative as it is the only judicial body set out in the Charter of the United Nations. It has general jurisdiction rather than being limited to specific areas of law such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or regional human rights courts such as the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The ICJ should be distinguished from the International Criminal Court, or (ICC, which also has its seat in The Hague, in the Netherlands. The ICC can convict and sentence individual perpetrators for violations such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In contrast...