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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation welcomes the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision to grant provisional measures against Israel. The committee also commends the South African government for taking a bold step, exposing Israel’s genocidal hostilities in Gaza.
 
The ICJ delivered the ruling in South Africa’s application to the court to specify provisional measures with the view to “protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention”. The Court has ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
 
Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo said: “This is a ground-breaking judgement, which orders Israel not to commit acts of genocide in its military operation in Gaza.”
 
Mr Mahumapelo said the ruling was a victory for justice. “We applaud team South Africa and acknowledge the fact that all the points that South Africa put forward in solidarity with the Palestinian people were confirmed by the ICJ.”
 
He added: “As the Committee, we thank South Africans who continue to stand and take action in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We thank them for knowing and understanding that our freedom will never be complete as South Africa until the Palestinian people are free as President Nelson Mandela has said.”
 
In conclusion, Mr Mahumapelo said: “It is our hope that, individuals and various political parties in South Africa who seem to see no injustice being inflicted on the Palestinian people by Israel will demonstrate maturity and support the outcome of the ICJ.”
 
The South African government approached the International Court of Justice in The Hague under the Genocide Convention for acts committed by Israel in Gaza. The application filed on 29 December 2023, requested the Court to declare on an urgent basis that Israel is in breach of its obligation in terms of the Genocide Convention.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo