Malaysia supports SA ICJ case against Israel

Audrey Galawu

The Malaysian government has commended South Africa for appealing to the International Court of Justice against Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza calling for a ceasefire.

In a statement, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said the decision is important in making sure Israel is held accountable for the violent attacks in Gaza.

“Malaysia welcomes the application by South Africa instituting proceedings against Isael before the international Court of Justice concerning the violations by Israel of its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Genocide Convention) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” he said.

SA filed a case against Israel accusing Israel of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza condemning attacks against all civilians.

“The application by South Africa also includes a request for the Court to indicate provisional or short-term measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza in order to protect against further harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention, and to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Convention.

“The legal action against Israel before ICJ is a timely and tangible step towards legal accountability for Israel’s atrocities in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory at large. As a fellow State Party to the Genocide Convention, Malaysia calls on Israel to fulfil its obligation under international law and to immediately end its atrocities against Palestinians,” reads the statement.

Malaysia reiterated its call for a durable solution by granting the Palestinians their own independent and sovereign state, based on the pre-167 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel and South Africa are both members of the UN and are bound by the ICJ.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe has come to the aid of the Embassy of Palestine in Harare with a $35 000 donation.

This is to cover operational costs as the Embassy has not received funds from its government due to the ongoing Israel genocide in Gaza.