Arab League, Iran support South Africa’s genocide case against Israel over Gaza war

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Arab League and Iran have voiced support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said late Wednesday that he hopes for “a fair and brave judicial ruling to halt this aggressive war and put an end to the Palestinian bloodshed.”

He hailed South Africa “for filing the lawsuit that prioritizes human values above all considerations.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran “fully supports the South African government’s “responsible, courageous and honorable” action against Israel at the ICJ over its “crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.”

It called on the international community to take “decisive action to bring the perpetrators of the crimes in Gaza to accountability.”

“Iran once again strongly denounces the apartheid Zionist regime’s war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian nation, and expresses its support for resistance as a liberation move and legitimate right recognized by international law for the Palestinian nation in the struggle against occupation,” the statement added.

South Africa filed on Dec. 29 an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the ICJ.

The African country suspended relations with Israel on Nov. 21 in response to its army’s attacks on the Gaza Strip. On Dec. 29, it filed a petition with the ICJ to initiate a case of genocide.

Israel has pounded the Palestinian enclave since an attack by Hamas in which Tel Aviv says 1,140 people died.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 23,357 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 59,410, according to Palestinian health authorities.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced, while all of the population is food insecure, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people are living without shelter.