South Africa: scenes of joy after the ICJ decision, a “decisive victory” according to the government

In South Africa, the country celebrated as a triumph the judgment rendered this Friday by the International Court of Justice in the case between it and Israel. Members of the ruling ANC party gathered in Johannesburg to follow live the verdict of the body, which ordered Israel to prevent any possible act of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

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Pro-Palestine supporters rejoice live at the judgment handed down by the International Court of Justice concerning Israel, in Pretoria, South Africa, January 26, 2024. © ALET PRETORIUS / Reuters

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With our correspondent in Pretoria,

Romain Chanson

This is the word that came up on everyone's lips: the feeling of “

victory

”. After

referring the matter to the International Court of Justice

 (ICJ) last December, finding

that Israel

was committing genocide in

Gaza

, executives of the ANC - the ruling party - and members of the South African government gathered this Friday January 26 to follow the judging live on giant screens. 

Although the Court did not directly rule on the accusation of genocide, it agreed with

South Africa

on several points and shared its concern, in particular urging the Jewish State to prevent any possible genocidal act and to allow access of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

A “

 verdict that exceeds our wildest hopes

 ”

At the end of the hearing, everyone started singing. Applause, increasingly louder as the President of the Court rendered a judgment in line with

South Africa

's requests , then the party.

This ICJ decision

looks like a victory for Naeem Patel, member of the Association of South African Friends of Palestine. “ 

We are very happy, we are even delighted! We could see this in the reaction of the President or the charge d'affaires for Palestine. Palestine solidarity movements like ours are extremely satisfied by the verdict

 ,” he assured. 

[WATCH] The International Court of Justice rules in favor of South Africa's request for provisional measures against Israel over Gaza war. 🙌🏽#FreePalestine #ANC112 #ANCNEC pic.twitter.com/WdrcvTszSu

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) January 26, 2024

The judgment rendered by the International Court of Justice does not mention the ceasefire demanded by South Africa. “ 

I am not disappointed though

,” confided Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, present in The Hague during the verdict. She believes that the measures ordered by the Court to Israel, in fact, impose a ceasefire. Because the ICJ nevertheless asks Israel to prevent the massacres. Fébé Potgieter, ANC executive, is therefore more than satisfied. “ 

This is a verdict that exceeds our wildest expectations. It is a decision that encourages the defenders of peace who have protested in the streets of the United States, South Africa and everywhere else

 ,” she considers. 

Address to the nation from President Cyril Ramaphosa

At the end of the judgment, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hugged the representative of Palestine in South Africa, as well as his Minister of Justice. He then went on television and addressed the nation to congratulate himself on a " 

victory for international law, human rights and above all, for justice

 ."

Cyril Ramaphosa also took the opportunity to reaffirm South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause and the fate of Gazans. “ 

We expect Israel, which claims to be a democracy respectful of the

rule

of law, to comply with the measures handed down by the International Court of Justice. We are convinced that following this ruling, we should focus our

efforts

on achieving a ceasefire and that we should engage in negotiations to

achieve a two-state solution

,

 ” the president added.

With this affair, South Africa is also satisfied with having tested international institutions. Pretoria regularly denounces their inaction and the “

 double standards

” of international justice, which does not defend all citizens in the same way. With this judgment, described as monumental, South Africa changes its tone and thanks the Court for deliberating quickly.

Also read [Live] Gaza: after the ICJ decision, Saudi Arabia demands that Israel “be held accountable”

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