Chile joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Chile has joined a coalition of countries backing South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Chilean President Gabriel Boric, addressing lawmakers on Saturday announced its country’s support for a genocide case against Israel, expressing his deep concern over the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza, especially against women and children.

“Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague,” Boric said.

Speaking to the National Congress, he strongly criticized the Israeli military for employing “indiscriminate and disproportional” force.

“These acts demand a firm and permanent response of the international community,” the president said.

Boric had previously said the war in Gaza has “no justification” and is “unacceptable.”

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Mexico, Chile refer Israel to ICC over crimes in war on Gaza

Early in January, Chile along with Mexico submitted a case to International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

The Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren said his nation was “interested in supporting the investigation into any possible war crime” wherever they might occur.

Chile has recognized Palestine as a state since 2011.

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Top UN court to hear South Africa's call to halt Israel’s Rafah offensive

South Africa lodged a complaint against Israel in the ICJ last year on December 29, nearly three months after the occupying regime launched its brutal aggression against Gaza.

The complaint asked judges in the court to declare that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza and order the regime to stop its attacks on people.

The ICJ found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide and issued an initial ruling ordering Israel to refrain from acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention.

The World Court issued another verdict in March ordering the regime to ensure that basic food supplies can reach people in Gaza.

Last month, South Africa submitted another request to the ICJ for three urgent orders, known as “provisional measures,” as it probes into Israel’s violations of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.

The top UN court ordered Israel last month to halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah- where displaced Palestinians were seeking safety from Israel’s military offensive and establish humanitarian corridors and allow the world body to investigate genocide.

Despite the ICJ ruling, Israel pledged to continue with the invasion of Rafah.

The orders of the International Court of Justice are legally binding, yet lack significant enforcement mechanisms.

Several countries, including Egypt, Libya, Turkey and Colombia, have formally requested to join the case against Israel.

The Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7 has killed at least 36,379 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

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