SA vs Israel: ICJ to hold hearings on SA’s request for additional measures in Gaza
Cape Town – South Africa’s request for the indication of additional provisional measures and the modification of provisional measures previously prescribed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be heard on Thursday and Friday.
The ICJ made the announcement on Tuesday that they will hold public hearings at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the court, on the request filed by South Africa.
South Africa made the request on May 10 in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
The hearings are scheduled for Thursday and Friday with oral arguments from South Africa being heard on Thursday, May 16, from 3pm to 5pm.
Oral arguments from Israel will be heard from 10am to 12pm on Friday, May 17.
South Africa initially filed an application on December 29, 2023, instituting proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The application also contained a request for the indication of provisional measures.
South Africa requested the ICJ indicate provisional measures in order to “protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention” and “to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide”.
On January 26, 2024, the court delivered its Order on South Africa’s request. On February 16, the ICJ issued a decision on a request by South Africa for additional provisional measures dated February 12.
On March 28, the ICJ indicated additional provisional measures, following a further request from South Africa, dated March 6, for the indication of additional provisional measures and/or the modification of its Order of January 26, 2024. Credit – IOL
