Israel's defense to South Africa’s urgent appeal begins at ICJ

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The Israeli delegation on Friday started defending in the two-day hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) upon the request of South Africa's urgent appeal.

The second day of the new hearing in The Hague began earlier with opening remarks, delivered by Israeli representative Gilad Noam.

He said the notification of the hearing "came as a great surprise," adding that although Israel asked that the hearing be rescheduled to next week, it was rejected.

Claiming that Israel has worked "diligently to enable the protection of civilians," Noam said it is Israel's "right and obligation to defend" its citizens.

South Africa on Thursday requested an order to end Israel's Gaza offensive at the ICJ as the country seeks additional provisional measures against Israel.

The South African delegation pointed to "willful breaches" by Israel against the court's binding orders. The delegation said South Africa was compelled to return to the court due to the "continuing annihilation of the Palestinian people."

South Africa filed an "urgent request" last Friday with the ICJ for additional measures amid Israel’s attacks on Gaza, particularly in the city of Rafah, where more than 1.4 million Palestinians are taking shelter.

“In its new request, South Africa states that the provisional measures previously indicated by the Court are not capable of ‘fully address(ing)’ the changed circumstances and new facts on which (its) Request is founded,” the ICJ said in a statement.

South Africa took Israel to the ICJ in late 2023, accusing it of genocide in Gaza.

An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Tel Aviv is committing genocide in the coastal enclave, and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians.