By Zuhal Demirci and Selman Aksunger
THE HAGUE (AA) - The delegation from the Turkish parliament in The Hague urged on Friday a swift resolution to South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), emphasizing the need for a speedy process and justice.
The preliminary hearing on South Africa's case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention with its actions in Gaza, took place in The Hague.
Turkish delegation was present in The Hague to monitor the trial and made statements to the press after its conclusion.
The delegation, led by Cuneyt Yuksel, Chairman of the Parliamentary Justice Committee and AK Party Istanbul Deputy, included Ismail Emrah Karayel, President of the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee and AK Party Istanbul Deputy, as well as Cahit Ozkan, a member of the Constitution Committee and Denizli Deputy.
- 'We want justice to prevail'
After the trial, Yuksel addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that Israel, "the perpetrator of this tragedy and disgrace, continues its actions unabashedly, which are subject to war crime and genocide allegations."
"As Türkiye, both our authorities and civil society will never be complicit in this oppression," he said.
He conveyed that Türkiye "demands an immediate end to Israel's barbaric attacks targeting civilians and believes that those responsible must be held accountable."
Yuksel expressed the expectation that the outcome of the case at the ICJ would bring relief to the conscience of the international community.
He stated, "We welcome the application made by the Republic of South Africa to the ICJ. We reiterate our support for this process on behalf of the Turkish people. We hope for a swift resolution of this process and for justice to prevail."
Emphasizing the need for the Court's interim measures to secure a cease-fire above all, he said that they desire this to enable much-needed "unconditional, unimpeded, and regular" humanitarian aid in Gaza.
"It has once again become evident that achieving lasting peace and stability in our region is not possible without a fair political resolution to the Palestinian issue. Therefore, our fundamental expectation is for the international community to take urgent and concrete steps towards establishing peace," he stressed.
"Türkiye is ready to actively contribute to all efforts leading to a solution and is also prepared to take on a guarantor role in the implementation of any final agreement," he added.
- Anadolu's photos played crucial role in documenting genocide in Gaza
During the trial, Ozkan emphasized the effectiveness of statements, noting that evidence presented by South Africa included photos taken by Anadolu.
Highlighting the significant role of Anadolu in substantiating the genocide in Gaza and this legal process, Ozkan pointed out that these visuals "richly" reflected South Africa's claims during the trial.
He underscored that the genocide in Gaza was the first in history to be documented in real-time by the Gazan people themselves through their mobile phones, sharing their destruction with the hope that something could be done.
- 'Failure to investigate and hold Israel accountable for crimes committed is unacceptable'
Karayel highlighted Türkiye's support for international law and courts in conflict resolution, emphasizing the need for disputes to be resolved in accordance with international legal rules.
He noted that the failure to investigate and punish Israel's crimes is an unacceptable situation.
Karayel conveyed that Türkiye will always be a follower of the process in such cases to ensure justice, punish perpetrators, and take necessary actions against those responsible.
Emphasizing the need for the Court to issue interim measures to alleviate the tragedy in Gaza, he said that they will also monitor the implementation of these measures.
The first day of the trial concluded after the Ambassador of South Africa to Amsterdam, Vusimuzi Madonsela, read the nine interim measures his country requested from the Court against Israel.
On the first day of the trial, the South African side presented their allegations against Israel to the ICJ along with the supporting reasons and evidence.
Legal representatives for South Africa in the trial accused Israel of "deliberate actions against Gazans, proving genocidal intent."
*Writing by Necva Tastan in Istanbul