Khaberni - The International Court of Justice announced on Friday that the United States will defend its ally Israel against accusations of violating the Genocide Convention during its war on Gaza.
Washington presented to the court what is legally known as the "Declaration of Intervention" in the case brought by South Africa against Israel, forcefully stating in the submitted file that the accusations of "genocide" directed at Tel Aviv are "baseless".
The United States considered that the lawsuit by South Africa represents the latest link in a series of what it described as "baseless genocide accusations" targeting Israel for decades.
Washington said in its brief that these accusations aim to "delegitimize the state of Israel and the Jewish people, and justify or encourage terrorism against them."
Course of the Lawsuit
The case dates back to December 2023, when South Africa filed its lawsuit, arguing that the Gaza war violates the United Nations Convention on the Prevention of Genocide of 1948.
On October 28, 2024, it also submitted its brief concerning the basis of the complaint, which is 750 pages long, supported by about 4,000 pages of documents and evidence.
More than 12 countries have requested to join the case, meaning they will present their views before the court when it convenes, in a judicial process that could take years.
Several countries have expressed their intention to defend South Africa's position, foreshadowing a decisive legal confrontation at the "Peace Palace", the court's headquarters in The Hague.
The "International Justice" judges had issued urgent rulings in the case, which included an order for Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide in Gaza and to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. In a separate ruling, the court stressed the obligation for Israel to provide the "basic needs" to ensure the resilience of the Palestinians.
Although the court's decisions are legally binding, the court lacks an executive mechanism to enforce them on the ground.
On October 7, 2023, Israel began a two-year war on Gaza, which resulted in more than 72,000 martyrs, over 171,000 wounded Palestinians, and extensive destruction affecting 90% of the civil infrastructure, according to governmental data from the sector.
On October 10, 2025, an agreement to cease fire in Gaza was reached, but Israel violates it daily, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of hundreds of Palestinians.
