How Israel’s leaders opened the door to South Africa’s ludicrous genocide claim

Firing against your own soldiers is often referred to as “friendly fire.” Expensive to Israel in the Gaza war. But a different kind of friendly fire, the reckless and unnecessary statements made by Israel's domestic political and military leaders after the October 7 Hamas attack, could be costly in other ways.

These statements became South African statements. Evidence A The lawsuit was filed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

South Africa's claims border on the ridiculous. Because Hamas' basic charter and current leaders extinction Through such claims of genocide, Israeli Jews are intentionally maximizing Gazan casualties as a means of mobilizing world opinion against Israel.

Deliberately provoking a reaction from the Israeli military, Hamas refuses to take away Gaza civilians, even pregnant women and children. shelter 350-400 miles of well-stocked underground passages tunnel, running under hospitals, schools, and mosques, where Hamas fighters hide. A senior Hamas official boasted that he was “proud to sacrifice martyrs.”

South Africa has no moral standing to bring this case.it's soon blamed Even before Israel counterattacked, Israel was involved in the October 7th attack. hosted A delegation from Hamas took part to show solidarity with the terrorist organization responsible for the worst single-day loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

South Africa's legal team has been given a 'harassment and discriminationWhile he was leader of the Labor Party he spoke out against Jews.

Still, many experts predict The ICJ will preliminarily find that South Africa's claims are “plausible”. How is that possible?

Key question Before the ICJ, Israel “ Nationwide, ethnic, racial or religious group itself,” according to the United Nations definition of genocide. At this preliminary stage, South Africa has only a lenient burden of proving a “plausible” claim of genocide. If that happens, the ICJ could order interim measures, such as requiring Israel to cease military operations in Gaza. This leaves Hamas, of which South Africa has not named itself as a member, free to attack Israel. The final decision could take years and South Africa will likely have to meet stricter “criteria”.completely convincing“Standard.

But even under a liberal standard, South Africa would have struggled to prove the necessary intent had it not been for the reckless statements made by Israel's homeland leadership after the attack.

South Africa Quote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cited the Biblical story of Amalek, a people who persecuted Israelis and who, according to South Africa, the Bible commands Israel to wipe out. (More on this later.) Yoav Gallant, Minister of Defense announced He declared a “total siege of Gaza” and vowed to cut off all food, water and fuel supplies. Nissim Vaturi, deputy speaker of the right-wing parliament, wrote that Israel should do this.erase Remove the Gaza Strip from the face of the earth. ” The mild-mannered President Isaac also herzog “The whole country is responsible,” he said.

Israeli lawyer claimed The statements reflect the trauma experienced by Israel, many are taken out of context or are selectively quoted, and in any case, unlike Hamas, they do not take steps to reduce civilian casualties. is not representative of Israeli operations in Gaza. In fact, South Africa misrepresented Netanyahu's Amalekite comments by linking them to another chapter of the Bible that Netanyahu did not refer to or quote. king saul He is ordered to wipe out all members of Amalek.

However, even if accurately quoted, these statements still provided evidence for South Africa's claims. They should never have been made.

Israeli leaders announced on October 7 that a devastating intelligence operation had led to the ICJ finding that the allegations of genocide were at least plausible, if not conclusive, with damaging consequences for Israel. This may have exacerbated the failure of preparations.

Gregory J. Wallance He was a federal prosecutor in the Carter and Reagan administrations and a member of the ABSCAM prosecution team that convicted a U.S. senator and six members of Congress on bribery charges. He is the author of a new book.To Siberia: George Kennan's epic journey through Russia's cruel and frozen heart”