Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation chairperson Supra Mahumapelo noted that the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) move of requesting warrants for arrest for alleged war crimes on Palestinians bolsters South Africa’s foreign policy, which he said strives to maintain world peace and settle all international disputes through negotiation. 

Earlier this week ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan requested warrants for arrest for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.

“Although the chief prosecutor is yet to present his case before the judges of the ICC, this move is a huge blow to the Israeli government and points to the direction South Africa took to the effect that war crimes are being committed against the Palestinian people in this genocidal war,” said Mahumapelo.   

Khan said he would present evidence before the three judges of the ICC to prove that the five have violated the Rome Statutes under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 

Mahumapelo said that all responsible people must be held accountable for contravening international humanitarian law.

He said South Africa had also approached the International Court of Justice to investigate any possible war crimes being committed by Israel, especially Netanyahu in the genocidal war in Gaza.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said the law must be applied equally to all in order to uphold the international rule of law, ensuring accountability for those that commit heinous crimes and protect the rights of victims.