(TJV) After South Africa initiated legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged genocide in Gaza, a group of nearly 50 South African lawyers, led by Wikus Van Rensburg, is preparing a separate lawsuit against the US and UK governments. The basis for this legal action is the claim that these governments are complicit in “Israeli forces’ war crimes in Palestine”.

Rensburg is spearheading the initiative to bring those complicit in the alleged crimes to justice in civilian courts, collaborating with lawyers from the US and UK. He has been actively reaching out to various countries and the ICJ, advocating for the prosecution of Israel and its supporters. Now, he is gearing up to file a lawsuit against the US and UK with the support of fellow lawyers.

In an interview, Rensburg expressed the need to hold the United States accountable for its perceived involvement in the crimes. He highlighted that the ICJ case against Israel will serve as a guide for their legal action against the US and UK. Rensburg emphasized the importance of the legal process, drawing attention to the lack of accountability for past actions, such as those in Iraq.

The South African lawyer noted that many lawyers, including Muslims, have joined the cause, believing in the significance of addressing the alleged injustices in Palestine. Rensburg emphasized that the ongoing ICJ trial against Israel could lead to sanctions against the US, even if it rejects the verdict. He sees the ICJ ruling as potentially strengthening a case against the Joe Biden administration.

Rensburg and his colleagues are reaching out to law firms in the US and UK, preparing for legal proceedings. He drew parallels with cases filed against former US President George Bush in the 2000s, expressing confidence in the success of the legal process through collaborative efforts. The group of lawyers recently addressed an open letter to the leaders of the US and UK, asserting that they cannot evade responsibility for the alleged complicity in the war crimes