Israel is reportedly seeking support from the US Congress to exert pressure on South Africa to withdraw its genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
A report by Israeli news outlet Walla cites a classified Israeli Foreign Ministry document revealing that Israeli officials hope US lawmakers will warn South Africa of “serious consequences” if it proceeds with the case.
Initiated by South Africa in December 2023, the genocide case accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during its ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, now nearly a year old, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 41,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—and left over 94,800 injured, according to local health sources. The war has also caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine in Gaza, compounded by Israel’s blockade of the enclave and extensive damage to its infrastructure.
South Africa’s ICJ case argues that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a claim Israel vehemently denies. Israeli officials are hoping for US intervention, particularly after South Africa’s general elections in May, anticipating that a new government might adopt a different stance on Israel’s operations in Gaza.
South Africa has until October 28 to submit its reasons for continuing the case at the ICJ, which could set a significant international precedent in the debate over Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian territories. The involvement of the US Congress would add a new dimension to the international pressure on South Africa, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding Israel’s military campaign and the increasing global scrutiny of its actions.
