South Africa Presents Its Case Against Genocidal Israel At The International Court of Justice - Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC
Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC laid out the case for genocidal intent. These acts can include other acts that fall outside the genocide definition. It is evident in the way the military attack has been systematically conducted. Also the targeting of family homes, healthcare, and the denying of access to humanitarian aid. Already 1% have been killed.
The extraordinary feature is the systematic declarations by Israel’s political leaders, and these statements are repeated by soldiers on the ground. After the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a unprecedented response. There have been repeated references to Amalek, a group whom God instructed to be killed, included children and animals. The deputy speaker of the Knesset called for Gaza to be erased from the earth. Also references to a total blockade of ‘human animals’, a call supported by many parliamentarians. The intent to destroy has been formulated and distributed from the highest levels of state. They also tar all Palestinians with the crimes of Hamas. None of the statements can be neutralized or taken back after the fact. The genocidal intent is not ambiguous to the soldiers on the ground. There is video evidence, filmed by the soldiers themselves.
Israel’s army commanders are of the same mind. One said the entire Gaza should resemble Beit Hanoun, a suburb that has been all but flattened. As recently as 7 January, a soldier boasted about the destruction of an entire village, which he said was their mandate. Genocidal intent is understood, and being put into practice.
The comments are also rife in the Knesset, where there are repeated references for all Palestinians to die. The PM’s speeches havr also gained ground within Israeli society. There has been no effort to prevent, condemn or punish any acts and calls for genocide. Israel knows it is destroying Gaza, but has not changed its military tactics. And it has not let up on the blockade, and continues to ignore calls from aid organization to be allowed into Gaza. Israel continues to target infrastructure essential for survival.
The distinctive feature of this case has not been the silence, but the broadcasting of the desire, the intent and the instructions that feed down to the foot soldiers. The intent is embodied within state bodies. Any suggestion that that is not what they meant should be rejected.
