New Delhi: Palestinian ambassador Adnan Abu Al Haija has urged India to support South Africa’s ongoing case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which Pretoria has levelled accusations of “genocide” against Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“I hope we get a resounding verdict from the ICJ as soon as possible condemning Israel for its genocide in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. We hope India plays a bigger role in the peace process and supports this case,” the Palestinian envoy exclusively told ThePrint Tuesday.
Last week, the ICJ heard South Africa’s case against Israel, in which it argues that Israel’s actions in Gaza have violated the United Nation’s (UN’s) 1948 Genocide Convention, established in the wake of the Holocaust after World War II. Israel presented its arguments before the ICJ on 12 January, arguing that attacks on Gaza were directed at Hamas command centres which, it claims, are located under public buildings like hospitals.
Countries that have voiced support for South Africa’s case include mostly developing nations like Turkey, Brazil, Jordan, Pakistan and Malaysia. The Indian government has not officially issued a statement on the issue as yet. Meanwhile, Western countries like Germany and Canada have backed Israel, some arguing that the UN’s top court does not have jurisdiction over complaints brought forth by South Africa.
Analysts say the case is exposing cracks in international law, and the divide between developed and developing countries. “Legal scholars who have exposed international law’s complicity in colonialism will be watching South Africa v. Israel to reflect on the question whether international law can ever be ‘decolonised’,” Nimer Sultany, Palestinian author and reader in public law at Soas University of London, wrote on X.
The legal case before the ICJ is turning into an epic legal battle of Global South vs. Global North, as evident from German and Canadian interventions, and previous US statements, during the 2nd day of the ICJ hearing: 1/17
— Nimer Sultany (@NimerSultany) January 14, 2024
Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik also argued in a Monday op-ed that South Africa is testing the West’s “claim to moral superiority”.
The Palestinian ambassador to India concurred, arguing that if the ICJ delivers a verdict in favour of a ceasefire, it will resort trust in multilateralism.
“If South Africa wins this case, it may restore some faith in multilateral institutions which have been viewed with suspicion especially by developing countries, of late,” he told ThePrint.
Several countries, including India, have called for reform in multilateral institutions like the UN. Last March, during India’s G20 presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked that multilateralism is in “crisis” — a claim agreed to by the US as well.
Also Read: South Africa accused of anti-Semitism after sacking U-19 cricket captain who made pro-Israel remarks
‘Don’t want expansion of regional conflict’
Recent weeks have seen escalations in the Red Sea amid attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militia from Yemen on commercial ships in the strait. The Houthis, which had announced solidarity with Hamas, have been attacking ships coming from or bound for Israel. Last week, the US and UK carried out air strikes on Yemen after which the US military said it shot down a missile fired at one of its vessels, Gibraltar Eagle, by the Houthis.
“We don’t want the war to expand into a regional conflict. The situation in the Red Sea is rooted in what’s happening in Gaza. If there is a ceasefire, the root problem will be addressed,” the Palestinian ambassador to India said.
Iran’s attack on what it perceived as a Mossad command in Iraq Tuesday, has raised fears of a potential spillover of the Israel-Hamas war into a regional conflict.
The recent escalations came amid External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Iran Monday, where he met the Iranian President, foreign minister and the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in Tehran.
On Monday, Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Amir-Abdollahian issued a joint statement that made a veiled reference to the situation in the Red Sea, by noting an “increase in threats to the safety of maritime commercial traffic” which is emerging as a major concern for the international community.
The loss of life in Gaza and reiteration of India’s long standing support for a two-state solution were also mentioned.
Last October, the Palestinian envoy in an interview to ThePrint had said he hoped New Delhi would look at the conflict in Gaza from “both sides”.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)