The government has said that it will consider Israel’s response to South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It will then decide whether to request the court’s permission to submit further written replies, or to proceed directly to the oral phase of the proceedings.
This after Israel finally filed its counter memorial at the ICJ, challenging South Africa’s request to the court to rule that the military action of Israel’s Defence Force in Gaza amounts to genocide.
South Africa formally filed its application in October 2024.
The ICJ initially ordered Israel to respond by 28 July last year, but the Israeli government requested an extension on two occasions, which the Court granted.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says: “South Africa remains committed to playing its part, among others, to fulfil the promises of the Genocide Convention and the UN Charter to liberate humanity from the odious scourge of the genocide as prescribed by the 1948 UN Genocide Convention; and to save a succeeding generation from the scourge of war as universally pledged in the UN Charter Preamble.”
WATCH | Israel has filed its counter-memorial at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, challenging South Africa’s case. SABC Specialist Correspondent Sophie Mokoena unpacks what this means. pic.twitter.com/p948z1DxgU
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 15, 2026
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