Online campaign emerges against Israel’s actions in Gaza amidst South Africa’s ICJ lawsuit

South Africa has taken legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice on 29 December, seeking an urgent order that declares Israel in violation of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention for its crackdown on the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

The court hearings are scheduled for 11 and 12 January.

In solidarity with Gaza and to condemn what is perceived as Israel’s genocide in the region, an online campaign has been initiated, urging netizens to share evidence of the alleged atrocities.

The campaign is mobilizing under the hashtag #EndIsraelsGenocide on 11 and 12 January.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to conduct public hearings on the violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention, as initiated by South Africa.

To garner global support for justice and humanity, a cyber intifada is called for on various social media platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Supporters are encouraged to share videos, pictures, statements, and other forms of evidence demonstrating Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza.

To make the hashtag #EndIsraelGenocide trend, participants are urged to start posting simultaneously during the two-hour campaign, coinciding with the ICJ hearings.

Participants are advised to prepare their posts in advance and actively engage by liking, sharing, and reposting others’ content.

South Africa takes Israel to ICJ over Gaza, prompting an unprecedented legal showdown

South Africa sought an urgent order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday (29 Dec), asserting that Israel’s actions against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza violated its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, serves as the United Nations forum for resolving disputes between states.

South Africa’s submission claimed that Israel was breaching its obligations under the post-Holocaust treaty, which criminalizes attempts to destroy a people in whole or in part.

The filing urged the ICJ to issue provisional measures directing Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza.

These measures were deemed necessary to prevent further severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people.

Although the ICJ in The Hague is considered the highest court of the United Nations, its rulings are at times disregarded.

The urgency of South Africa’s request for an interim measure from the ICJ to prevent potential acts of genocide by Israel, particularly by calling for a cessation of combat operations, has gained unexpected relevance in the past fortnight.

Legal teams are mobilizing, countries are expressing support for South Africa, and Israel has announced its intention to defend itself in court, reversing a longstanding policy of boycotting the UN’s top court and its elected judges.

The first hearing in The Hague is scheduled for 11 and 12 January.

Israel blames Hamas for Gaza’s suffering amidst South Africa’s legal action

The situation escalated on 7 October when militants from the Islamist group Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and seizing 240 hostages, according to Israel’s count.

In response, Israel initiated an assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, resulting in the reported deaths of more than 21,000 people, as stated by Palestinian health officials.

In reaction to South Africa’s legal action, Israel’s foreign ministry attributed the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza to Hamas, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields and misappropriating humanitarian aid.

These allegations have been denied by Hamas.

The ministry emphasized Israel’s efforts to minimize harm to non-involved residents in Gaza.

Palestine, recognized by the court as having “observer state” status, expressed support for South Africa’s lawsuit, urging the court to take immediate action to protect the Palestinian people and call on Israel to cease its offensive.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) announced the filing of the court application against Israel, citing Israel’s failure to prevent genocide since 7 October 2023, and its alleged failure to prosecute direct and public incitement to genocide.

This legal move follows South Africa’s recent decision by lawmakers to vote in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending diplomatic relations with Israel.

South Africa has long supported the Palestinian cause for statehood in Israeli-occupied territories, drawing parallels between the Palestinian plight and the historical oppression of the Black majority in South Africa during the apartheid era—a comparison vehemently denied by Israel.