Chile will join the accusation of genocide against Israel that South Africa presented to the International Court of Justice, announced President Gabriel Boric.
“I have decided that Chile will join and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, within the framework of the UN Genocide Convention”said the president during the annual accountability before the Chilean Congress this Saturday.
Boric said that he ordered “the Foreign Ministry teams to prepare a document with our arguments on this matter.”
South Africa argues that Israel commits genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza war and filed a case with the International Court of Justice on December 29, 2023.
However, Israel maintains that South Africa’s accusation is “totally unfounded” and refuses to stop the Israeli offensive to defeat Hamas after the October 7 attacks.
“More than 35,000 deaths are already counteda catastrophic humanitarian situation and the infrastructure in Loop practically razed,” Boric stressed. “These acts require a firm and permanent response from the international community.”
The Chilean government has sent humanitarian support to the Palestinian territories and called his ambassador in Tel Aviv for consultations.
Condemns Hamas
Boric warned that his decision does not imply support for Hamas.
“I want to make it very clear that there is no room for ties and that I do not accept choosing between barbarities. “We condemn, without a doubt, the terrorist attacks by Hamas and demand the release of the hostages.”
In Latin America, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Brazil They have also expressed support for the South African lawsuit.
The International Court of Justice is the United Nations’ highest court and can issue legally binding rulings in disputes between countries, but it has few mechanisms to enforce its rulings.
The ICJ cannot prosecute people for crimes of the utmost gravity, such as genocide.
But their opinions carry weight before the UN and other international institutions.
On May 24, the court issued a ruling ordering Israel to “immediately” stop its military offensive in Rafahin southern Gaza.
This decision does not determine whether or not genocidal acts are being committed in Gaza, but rather whether there is a risk to the right of the Palestinian people to protection.
The goal of the ruling was to stop the deterioration of the situation, or at least keep it in a kind of wait state, until the judges consider the broader merits of the case.
However, Israel responded with new attacks until it took control of the center of Rafah, the last refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
Hamas gunmen launched an attack in southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages.
Since Israel launched its military response against Hamas, more than 35,800 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.
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- The Israeli army takes control of the center of Rafah, the last refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza
- 11 questions to understand South Africa’s genocide accusation against Israel (and what role the International Court of Justice plays)
- The International Court of Justice orders Israel to “immediately” stop its military offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza