Belgian Foreign Minister Hajjah Lahbib (Anatolia)

Belgium announced on Monday that it would intervene in the case brought by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice, on charges of committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

Sources at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Brussels decided to present its interpretation of Article 2 of the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, which defines the crime of genocide.

The sources quoted Foreign Minister Hajjah Lahbib as saying that on February 7, the International Court of Justice sent a letter to the states parties to the 1948 Convention - including Belgium - stating the possibility of interpreting the Convention in the context of this case.

The Minister added that Belgium would like to participate in this matter and present its interpretation of Article 2 of the Convention.

She stressed that "the matter is not about taking sides with or against one party or the other. Rather, it is about enhancing the universality of international agreements to which countries are parties."

The sources indicated that the content of the Belgian interpretation and the date of its submission have not yet been determined, and “the process may take months.”

Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice gives states the right to intervene when it comes to the interpretation of agreements to which they are a party, even if they are not a party to the dispute.

Precautionary measures

The International Court of Justice announced, last Wednesday, that South Africa had submitted an urgent request to specify additional precautionary measures and amend the court’s order issued on January 26, and its subsequent decision issued on February 16, in the case filed against Israel, related to the application of the Convention on the Prevention of... And punishing (committing) the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The court explained that South Africa stated in its new request that it was forced to return to it in light of the new facts and changes in the situation on the ground in Gaza, especially the widespread famine.

This is the third request submitted by South Africa against Israel to the court, which is the highest judicial body in the United Nations, since Israel began its devastating war on the Gaza Strip 5 months ago.

In response to the case filed by South Africa on December 29, 2023, the International Court of Justice, on January 26, 2024, ordered Tel Aviv to take measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been besieged by Israel since 17 years old.

Source: Anadolu Agency