Israel urges US Congress to pressure South Africa on ICJ genocide case

Israeli officials hope US lawmakers will warn South Africa of "serious consequences" for pursuing the case

Israel is reportedly seeking support from the US Congress to exert pressure on South Africa to withdraw its genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to a report from the Israeli news outlet Walla, a classified Israeli Foreign Ministry document reveals that Israeli officials hope US lawmakers will warn South Africa of the "serious consequences" if the case is pursued.

The genocide case, initiated by South Africa in December 2023, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during its ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s war on Gaza, now nearly a year old, has led to the deaths of approximately 41,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, and has left over 94,800 people injured, according to local health sources.

The ongoing conflict has also resulted in severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine in Gaza, as Israel maintains a blockade over the enclave, devastating much of the region’s infrastructure.

South Africa’s case at the ICJ contends that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, a claim that Israel strongly denies.

Israeli officials are hoping the US will intervene and sway South Africa's stance, particularly after the country's general elections in May, in the hope that a new government might take a different approach toward Israel and its operations in Gaza.

South Africa has until October 28 to submit its reasons for continuing the case at the ICJ, which could set a significant international precedent in the debate over Israel's military actions in the Palestinian territories.

The involvement of the US Congress would mark a new level of international pressure on South Africa, underscoring the diplomatic tensions surrounding Israel's military campaign and the growing international scrutiny of its actions.