South Africa defeated Israel in the world’s top court when yesterday the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel within no time to halt the offensive in Rafah.
The South Africans are rejoicing at this moment and are promising to pursue the Zionist state till the last of the movement. The UN’s top court order came in response to a request by South Africa (SA). The SA is now to move to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seeking implementation of this verdict and launch an investigation over the Gazans’ genocide.
The Court has also ruled to open the Rafah crossing for unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance and to take effective measures to ensure unhampered access to the Strip for any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission, or other investigative body mandated by the UN to investigate allegations of genocide. The ICJ ordered Israel to submit a report to the Court on all measures taken to give effect to this Order, within one month from the date of this Order.” The SA government taking this order expressed pleasure. Zane Dangor, the Director General of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, was reported saying, “This verdict is revolutionary. The first time Israel was explicitly ordered to halt military action in any area of Gaza, specifically in Rafah.”
International media reported Mr. Dangor saying, “The top court ordered the major party in this conflict to end its aggression against the people of Palestine. Johannesburg will now approach the UNSC with this order to get implemented and allow an independent investigation of claims of genocide in Gaza. This order, like others, is compelling, they are binding and Israel has to adhere to them.”
On May 10, the SA requested for additional measures against Israel. It was a part of a larger case that SA brought against Israel in January 2024. The ruling of this court on this matter is final. It came after the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought arrest warrants for Hamas leaders, Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICJ in an interim order that South Africa requested asked Israel to comply with the UN Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. It also called for urgent measures to provide basic services to Palestinians.
“I am proud to be a South African. I am more than happy when today we won a legal war that Israel lost. Israel lost morally, diplomatically and legally. We cheer it with Gazans. South Africa will pursue this Zionist state till its back and shelter-less have shelter, the hungry have food, and mothers have their children.”
These are words that a South African Muslim Abdul Qayum alias Mufti expressed after the ICJ order came. Mufti is a resident of Pieter Maritzburg and said that everyone knows what is happening in Gaza, unfortunately, some are supplying arms and ammunition to Israel, and some are just condemning it and nothing more. He said, “South Africa is playing its part and the world should perform its role to stop Israel.
About five days ago the Spanish, Irish, and Norwegian governments announced recognizing a Palestinian state stating that there would be no peace in the Middle East without it. Another Pakistan-born South African citizen and a resident of Port Elizabeth Muhammad Akbar said there is a need for the Muslim world to do something more than condemn and should support South Africa now in perusing Israel to the UN Security Council. He said, “Pakistan-born South Africans hope that the Muslim world including Pakistan will take practical steps such as banning Israeli products, and engaging with the international community.”
Pakistan along with the Saudi Foreign Minister and Iranian President condemned Israel but it was not reported to have lobbied with the US in this regard. The UN adopted a resolution that Pakistan presented on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) seeking accountability of Israel over its abuses in Palestine. This resolution was adopted with a vote of 28 members. Six members opposed this resolution while another 13 remained absent. The OIC welcomed the adoption of this resolution. In a statement, the OIC said that voting for resolutions reflects their rejection of all illegal measures.
The resolution stressed the right of Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and establishing the independent State of Palestine. The draft resolution submitted by Spain, Ireland, and Ecuador, as well as Pakistan on behalf of the OIC, was voted in favor by 42 countries. Meanwhile, the United States and Paraguay opposed it.
Similarly, earlier in December 2023 another Pakistan-sponsored resolution was adopted by the UN over the universal realization of the Right of the People to Self-determination. The South Africans believe that defeating Israel on diplomatic and legal fonts would surely force it to stop the massacre of Gazans and their children.
According to the reports of international agencies, more than 35000 innocent civilians have been killed, and 800,000 injured in Israel’s offensive. The UN stated that 56 percent of those killed in Palestine are women and children. Around a million are displaced and 1.1 million are facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Morally Israel is losing every day. People around the world are agitating against its actions. The UN passed a resolution demanding it stop its war in Gaza. Some countries have called their ambassadors. However, in the ongoing situation in Gaza, a success that Gazans achieved is that some European countries announced recognition of Palestine as a state. The Spanish, Irish, and Norwegian governments announced they would recognize a Palestinian state as there would be no peace in the Middle East without it.
More than 140 countries around the world have recognized Palestine as a state. It has been going on since Mexico recognized it as a state in 2023. Sweden in 2014. There is pressure being increased on Israel and now it will not be easy for it to implement its future agenda. Israel will have to face confrontation in the world.
(Author: Rana Kashif)
