South Africa Stands Firm in Its Genocide Case Against Israel Despite U.S. Pressure

South Africa Stands Firm in Its Genocide Case Against Israel Despite U.S. Pressure

Edited by: Fern Sidman

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), undeterred by strong opposition from the United States. The case, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s foreign policy, with officials vowing not to retreat from their legal battle. Algemeiner.com reported on Thursday that that Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola made it clear in a recent interview with the Financial Times that there is “no chance” South Africa will withdraw its claim before the ICJ, despite mounting diplomatic and economic consequences.

South Africa’s insistence on proceeding with its case has put it on a collision course with Washington.  President Donald Trump, in response to the ICJ case and South Africa’s broader anti-Israel stance, recently signed an executive order aimed at cutting American aid to the country. The Algemeiner.com reported that the executive order threatens to halt approximately $440 million in U.S. assistance and jeopardizes South Africa’s preferential trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The move comes at a precarious time for South Africa’s new coalition government, which took power after the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.

Despite the high stakes, Lamola remains resolute, stating that standing by principles often carries consequences but emphasizing that his government views the ICJ case as a critical step for upholding international law. The South African minister dismissed U.S. criticisms, insisting that land reform policies affecting Afrikaners are not discriminatory and that South Africa does not engage in nuclear or military collaborations with Iran, as Trump’s executive order suggested.

The South African government has been one of the most vocal international critics of Israel’s military response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror attack. Indicated in the Algemeiner.com report was that the massacre, which resulted in the brutal and sadistic murder of 1200 civilians and mass kidnappings, led Israel to launch a full-scale war aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military and administrative control over Gaza. While Israeli leaders have condemned South Africa’s ICJ case as a blatant misuse of the Genocide Convention, South African officials continue to portray the legal action as a principled stand for Palestinian rights.

Tensions between Washington and Pretoria have further escalated due to allegations that South Africa is aligning itself more closely with Iran. The U.S. government, which has long designated Iran as the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, has accused South Africa of engaging in commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements with Tehran. However, as noted in the Algemeiner.com report, Lamola has denied such claims, maintaining that while South Africa has diplomatic relations with Iran, there is no significant trade or military cooperation between the two nations.

South Africa filed its ICJ case in December 2023, asserting that Israel’s military actions in Gaza amount to “state-led genocide.” Israeli officials have strongly rejected the accusations, arguing that their military campaign is a necessary response to Hamas’s terrorist attacks and that the Jewish state adheres to international humanitarian law, taking extensive measures to minimize civilian casualties.

The ICJ’s initial ruling did not affirm South Africa’s genocide claim but determined that there was a level of “plausibility” to the allegations, warranting further legal proceedings. The Algemeiner.com report said that the court did not order Israel to cease its military operations, instead directing it to ensure it takes precautions to prevent acts of genocide. Additionally, the ruling called for the release of the hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, an issue that South Africa’s government has largely downplayed.

South Africa’s case has gained international backing, with countries such as Cuba, Ireland, Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, Libya, Bolivia, Turkey, the Maldives, Chile, Spain, and the Palestinian Authority formally joining the legal action against Israel, according to the information contained in the Algemeiner.com report. The growing coalition calls attention to the increasing polarization of international opinion on the Gaza conflict.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, South Africa’s government has taken an increasingly hostile stance toward Israel. As the Algemeiner.com report noted, Pretoria withdrew its diplomats from Israel in late 2023 and shut down its embassy in Tel Aviv, citing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. The decision was followed by South Africa hosting Hamas officials at a pro-Palestinian conference in December, including a representative who had been sanctioned by the U.S. for his ties to the terrorist organization.

South Africa’s rhetoric has also become more extreme, with President Cyril Ramaphosa leading crowds in chanting the controversial slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free.” The phrase, widely associated with calls for the destruction of Israel, has been denounced by Jewish organizations as anti-Semitic incitement. South Africa’s Jewish community has strongly criticized the government’s actions, accusing it of political grandstanding rather than genuine humanitarian concern.

The South African government’s stance on Israel may carry significant economic and diplomatic consequences. The loss of U.S. aid and preferential trade status could further strain the country’s already struggling economy. Moreover, the Algemeiner.com report indicated that its growing alignment with Iran and other adversaries of Israel risks further alienating South Africa from Western allies.

With the legal process expected to take years, South Africa’s confrontational approach toward Israel is likely to remain a flashpoint in international diplomacy for the foreseeable future.