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SvennoJ on 29 April 2025
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Day 2 of the ICJ hearings on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

https://www.icj-cij.org/case/196 ( The genocide case is here https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192 )

‘Israel continues to act with impunity’: South Africa’s representative addresses ICJ

Zane Dangor, the chief of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, has kicked off the second day of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Here are a few lines of what he said:

  • Under the world’s watchful eye, Palestinians are being subjected to atrocity, crimes, persecution, apartheid and genocide.
  • While we watch, the gaze of Palestinians is directed squarely at the international community.
  • We wish to emphasise the impunity with which Israel is inflicting these harms. Israel continues to act with impunity as it does enjoy some form of exceptionalism from accountability to international law and norms.
  • Any country or entity, which seeks to hold Israel accountable for its inhumane and unlawful actions, is subject to countermeasures and sanctions from which the United Nations and this court has not been spared.
  • In this context, the UN and UNRWA is one of the latest casualties of Israel.
  • UNRWA is being attacked to deny the inalienable old right of the return of Palestinian refugees, the restitution of their land and homes appropriated since 1948, and [to] further [Israel’s] apartheid policy.
  • The attacks also imperil the existence of Palestinians as a group.

 

Saudi Arabia’s representative at ICJ condemns ‘Israel’s hideous conduct’ in Gaza

Mohamed Saud Alnasser, the representative of Saudi Arabia, has delivered a sharply worded statement before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), condemning Israel’s “flagrant violations of international law” in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Gaza.

“Less than a year ago, the court heard that Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied territory, including its settlement practices, its continued occupation and its annexation of parts of that territory are flagrant violations of international law that must be brought to an end as a matter of urgency,” he said.

“Sadly, but predictably, Israel chose to ignore the court’s ruling, showing it considered itself above the law.”

Alnasser went on to criticise Israel’s obstruction of international humanitarian efforts in the occupied territory.

“The obligations of Israel to allow the UN, other international organisations and third states to carry out activity in the occupied Palestinian territory – including providing such assistance – could truly make a difference between life and death for many people,” he said.

Referring specifically to the situation in Gaza, Alnasser said: “Israel’s hideous conduct, which piles illegality upon illegality, is well documented – its most ruthless application has been the siege conditions imposed over the Gaza Strip since October 2023.”