By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Spain became the first European country to ask a United Nations court for permission to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Making the announcement on Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said, “We made this decision in light of the continuation of the military operation in Gaza.”
“We also observe with enormous concern the regional extension of the conflict, “he said in a news conference.
Spain took the decision to not only “let peace return to Gaza and the Middle East” but also due to its commitment to international law, Albares said.
“Our sole goal is to put an end to the war and to advance on the road of applying the two-state solution”, Albares said, a week after Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, recognised the state of Palestine.
The move by the three countries sparked Israeli fury, which accused them of “rewarding terrorism” and withdrew its ambassadors.
South Africa brought its case against Israel in January, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October, has surpassed 36,500, according to health officials in the besieged and bombarded territory.
Israel launched the assault after the Palestinian group Hamas led an attack on southern Israel from Gaza, killing about 1,140 people, according to tally based on Israeli statistics.
The ICJ ordered Israel to ensure “unimpeded access” to UN-mandated investigators to look into allegations of genocide.
In a ruling on January 26, the ICJ also ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operation in Gaza.
But South Africa has since returned several times to the ICJ arguing that the dire humanitarian situation in the territory compels the court to issue further fresh emergency measures.
On May 24, the court ordered Israel to “immediately” halt its military offensive in the city of Rafah and keep open the key border crossing there for “unhindered” humanitarian aid.
ICJ rulings are legally binding but the court has no concrete means to enforce them. For example, it ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail.
Spain will now join several countries including Colombia, Egypt and Turkey in formally requesting to join the case against Israel.