Spain has intervened in a genocide case that was initiated late last year by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Israeli regime, over the latter's months-long genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
“This intervention is motivated by our responsibility as a State party to the Genocide Convention and our firm commitment to international law,” the Spanish foreign ministry said on Friday.
South Africa filed the lawsuit against the Israeli regime at the end of December, after nearly three months of Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.
Before filing the lawsuit, the country stated that the occupying regime had failed to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
In its interim ruling on January 26, the top United Nations court ruled that Pretoria's claims were plausible, ordering provisional measures. The Hague-based tribunal also said that the Israeli regime had to implement steps to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.
Following South Africa’s complaint, several countries, including Turkey, Libya, Nicaragua, Colombia, the Maldives, Egypt, Belgium, Ireland, Mexico, and Chile, submitted requests to join the case.
Commenting further on Madrid’s decision, the Spanish ministry said, “We seek to contribute to bringing peace back to Gaza and the Middle East.”
“We urge the ICJ to address the obligation to prevent genocide and ensure compliance with the Court’s binding precautionary measures,” it said.
Spain has committed to abiding by the ICJ’s ruling, demonstrating its support for international judicial decisions and its dedication to fostering global peace and stability, it added.
The Israeli regime launched the war on the coastal sliver on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.
Concomitantly with the war, the regime has been enforcing a near-total siege on Gaza, which has reduced the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water into the Palestinian territory into a trickle.
So far during the military onslaught, the regime has killed at least 37,765 Palestinians and injured over 86,429 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble.