THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Palestinian officials on behalf of the “State of Palestine” have asked the U.N. highest court for permission to join the South African case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
The request published Monday says Israel’s ongoing military operation is “part of a systematic attempt to wipe out Palestinian society and its culture and social institutions.” The request to the International Court of Justice was signed by Palestinian Authority Foreign Ministry official Ammar Hijazi.
South Africa filed its case at the World Court late last year, accusing Israel of violating the genocide convention in its military assault that destroyed large parts of Gaza. Israel denies committing genocide during its military operation to crush Hamas, sparked by the deadly October 7 attacks in southern Israel.
The court issued three interim orders in the case, calling on Israel to do everything it can to prevent deaths in the enclave, increase humanitarian aid and, most recently, halt its offensive in Rafah call.
It is unclear how long it will take the judges to rule on the request. If allowed, Palestinian officials would be able to address the court in writing and at public hearings.
In their request, the Palestinians said they were directly affected by the case.
“The Israeli attack has destroyed and damaged Gaza’s hospitals, mosques, churches, universities, schools, homes, shops and infrastructure beyond recognition, as part of a systematic attempt to wipe out Palestinian society and its cultural and social institutions. is the request.
The request adds that Israel is violating the court’s orders and continuing “its genocidal acts, including the deliberate and systematic obstruction of humanitarian assistance, resulting in a deliberately created situation of famine and a creeping famine that is becoming increasingly threatening.”
The Palestinians have been to court before. In 2018, the Palestinian Authority filed a case asking its judges to order Washington to remove the relocated US embassy from Jerusalem. The case followed the decision by the administration of then US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
That case remains in court, where it could take years to be resolved.
