It is very concerning to know that Israeli diplomats are being instructed to lobby the United States Congress members to put pressure on South Africa. They want to force Africa to drop its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice(ICJ).
South Africa is calling on the World Court to classify the actions of Israel in Gaza as genocide against Palestinians. According to the Israel foreign ministry message, Israeli diplomats are guided to inform the US lawmakers that the case at the International Court of Justice from South Africa could have severe consequences.
It possibly halted the trade between South Africa and the United States. However, this is unlikely to happen. It clearly represents how Israel utilizes its diplomats’ power to affect US policy. Also it stops legal actions that could hurt its global reputation. Also it expresses the complexity of international relations.
Israel is making efforts to change South Africa’s policies regarding Israel. They have sent messages to their embassy and consulates in the United States to put pressure on South Africa to return its case. In reality Israel wants to take South Afriac’s favor and to compel them to stop supporting Hamas. They also desire that South Africa make anti-Israel moves in the International Court. They also issue warning notes that if South Africa does not stop these actions then the results are severe.
Israeli diplomats have also been told to directly inform South African diplomats in the US that South Africa will face significant repercussions if it doesn’t change its stance on Israel. This is clearly a push by Israel to make sure South Africa understands the impact of its current policies and to encourage a shift in their approach towards Israel.
South Africa took legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice on December 29, 2023. This is one of the significant steps. The action came to light after 3 months of Israel’s military response to Hamas attacks in Southern Israel. This attack took the life of many Palestinians, approximately 1200. After this, Israel continued its action against Palestine which has caused the deaths of at least 40,988 Palestinians in Gaza, though some estimates, like those from the Lancet medical journal, suggest the number could be as high as 186,000.
South Africa’s petition asks the ICJ to determine if Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The document argues that Israel’s attacks on schools, homes, hospitals, mosques, and UN shelters are intended to destroy a significant part of the Palestinian people. Israel, however, has rejected this filing, calling it a “blood libel,” a term that refers to old, antisemitic accusations of Jews committing ritual murders.
Many nations support South Africa in the case filed against Israel. In this way, it got much attention such as at initial stage Turkey and Mexico stood in favour of South Africa.
This has also led to other legal actions, such as Nicaragua accusing Germany of contributing to genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
However, the International Court of Justice has not fully trusted on the genocide claim but has issued a partial order.
According to this order, Israel should stop any acts of genocide in Gaza and also end its invasion of Rafah. It is the southernmost city in Gaza. Furthermore, soon the International Court of Justice discussed these genocide allegations.
South Africa must submit its written arguments by October 28, and Israel has until July 28, 2025, to respond.
Israeli diplomats are also working to push for laws against South Africa in the US. The Israeli foreign ministry believes that even if these laws don’t pass, discussing them could influence South Africa’s policy on Israel. Additionally, diplomats are being asked to push for hearings about South Africa’s policy toward Israel in US state legislatures.
