Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed support for the South African government’s decision to bring the issue of Israel’s actions against Palestinians to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Öncü Keçeli, spokesperson of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Middle Eastern government was reacting to South Africa’s recent application to the ICJ, which has gained recognition.
“We welcome the application filed by the Republic of South Africa to the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s violation of its obligations under the 1948 ‘Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.’
“Israel’s massacre of more than 22 thousand Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the majority of whom were women and children, for nearly three months, must not go unpunished, and the perpetrators must be held accountable under international law,” said Keçeli.
Keçeli said the Turkish government was eager for the process to be expedited in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the Palestinians, who endure a constant state of fear and hopelessness.
“It is expected that within the framework of this application, the International Court of Justice will decide on provisional measures involving those to stop Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Türkiye will also follow the implementation of this decision,” he said.
This week, the ICJ, which is the court of the United Nations, confirmed that South Africa had lodged an application asking that Israel’s ongoing attack on Palestine should be classified as genocide.
In a statement, Monique Legerman, the Hague registry, stated that South Africa has also made a request to the Court for provisional measures. She mentioned that the application was submitted on Friday, December 29, 2023.
In its application, South Africa accused the government and military of Israel of committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people, specifically those in the Gaza Strip. The application argued that the actions of Israel, including killing Palestinians, causing them harm, and creating conditions that lead to their physical destruction, are in violation of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
South Africa acknowledges that acts of genocide are distinct from other transgressions of international law by Israel, such as deliberately targeting civilians and committing war crimes, but contends that there is a close connection between these acts.
The application also highlights the broader context of Israel’s conduct towards Palestinians, including its apartheid policies, occupation of Palestinian territory, and blockade of Gaza. South Africa further acknowledges the weight of responsibility in initiating proceedings against Israel for genocide but asserts its obligation as a state party to the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide.
The application is also supported by other states that are parties to the Convention, including the State of Palestine, and United Nations experts who have expressed concern about the risk of genocide against the Palestinian people.
South Africa said its ultimate goal is to achieve a durable peace between Israel and Palestine, based on internationally recognized borders and in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.’s actions against Palestinians to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
