Israel’s Foreign Ministry’s legal adviser Tal Becker has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague that Israel has a right to defend itself from Hamas attacks.
The court is hearing the matter between South Africa and Israel on the war in Gaza.
In its presentation yesterday, South Africa said it wants the court to issue a provisional order halting Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Becker has argued on behalf of Israel that Hamas has violated every ceasefire.
VIDEO | Israel presents its case at the ICJ:
Meanwhile, the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) International Law Professor, Andre Thomashausen, says he strongly doubts that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule in favour of South Africa.
The comment comes after the video clips and statements used in South Africa’s presentation were taken out of context.
He says the evidence does not impute genocidal intent on the state of Israel.
“We have a member of Parliament saying kill all the Boers, it doesn’t make South Africa guilty of a plan of genocide. Obviously, emotions run high in such a situation and individuals will say all sorts of things. What has to be looked at is the conduct and there of course, evidence will have to be led because the genocidal intent has to be inferred from the conduct.”
PODCAST | Professor Andre Thomashausen’s full interview on SAfm’s Sunrise programme:
