Israel/Gaza: South Africa regains the moral high ground

With its genocide application to the International Court of Justice, SA has reclaimed some of the Mandela era’s moral high ground. The case, to be heard in The Hague next Thursday, could have a significant impact on the Middle East conflict and on Tel Aviv’s allies’ approach to Palestine, writes MAX DU PREEZ.

THE massacre of over 1% of Gaza’s population since October 7, the destruction of most infrastructure through nearly three months of heavy bombardment and the catastrophic medical and food crises in the besieged strip of land demand a clear international declaration that it amounts to genocide and should not be tolerated.

It is almost poetic that this initiative comes from South Africa — the land of apartheid where moral outrage is now aimed at Israel. The country that miraculously resolved a primal conflict three decades ago through negotiations and compromise and established a constitutional democracy and an open society.

International jurists generally agree that International Court of Justice (ICJ) judges are likely to grant South Africa’s application.

South Africa has also requested immediate provisional measures rather than just a statement from the court. If the court proposes a ceasefire, Israel will have to seriously reconsider whether it can continue its assault. The US, Britain, and Europe, which have largely supported Israel unquestioningly, will also have to take serious note and change strategies.