A number of prominent actors including Susan Sarandon, Cynthia Nixon, The Crown actors Khalid Abdalla and Tobias Menzies, and Game of Thrones stars Charles Dance, Carice van Houten and Lena Headey have contributed to a series of videos supporting South Africa’s historic case charging Israel with genocide in Gaza.
Spokesman for the South African Ministry of Justice, Christine Phiri, said that his country had brought before the International Court of Justice all the crimes of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza.
“We have many arguments and evidence in our lawsuit before the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s crimes in the Gaza Strip, and we call on countries to provide more support for our position before international justice so that we have a real case against the occupation.” Phiri added in statements to al Qahera News channel.
The spokesman for the South African Ministry of Justice continued: “We follow the principles and rules governing international laws, and Palestine has the right to obtain its freedom.”
The case filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which Israel is accused of committing genocide against the Palestinians, has received international acclaim since its announcement, until the start of its first session, Thursday.
In its opening argument during the hearing session at the ICJ South Africa said that it “acknowledges the ongoing Nakba that has been happening for the Palestinian people”.
Vusi Madonsela South African Ambassador to the Netherlands, explained that the Israeli occupation tore apart the Palestinian people and wasted their right to self-determination, by intensifying its violations in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinian territories.
South Africa accused Israel before the International Court of Justice of “pushing the people of Gaza to the brink of famine.”
The South African case before ICJ, had the support of at least 13 countries, in addition to the Arab League, which includes 22 members, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes 57 members, while the United States and other countries expressed their support for Israel.
According to Human Rights Watch, leaders and officials representing Bangladesh, Bolivia, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Namibia, Nicaragua and Venezuela welcomed the step taken by South Africa.
Brazilian President Gustavo Petro said that it is very clear that all measures and movements adopted by the Israeli government constitute “acts of genocide”.
