Palestinians in the occupied West Bank welcomed the case submitted by South Africa to the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide, stating that the proceedings are an opportunity to hold Israel accountable for its military assault in Gaza. Israel reacted with anger to the accusations, describing them as "severely distorted" and stating that South Africa's attempt to pressure it into halting its offensive against the Hamas movement in Gaza would leave it defenseless.
However, for a large number of Palestinians, these accusations represent a chance to draw global attention to what they consider a historical oppression inflicted by Israel that undermines their basic rights. South African flags were raised in many cities across the West Bank. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh addressed a crowd at Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah, stating, "Israel has acted criminally against our people." The crowd, braving the winter rain, chanted thanks to South Africa.
Israel stated that it launched a combined air and ground assault to eliminate Hamas, which governs the besieged enclave, following an attack by the group’s fighters on October 7, which Israel claims resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages—the deadliest day in its 75-year history. Palestinian health authorities report that more than 23,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli bombardments in the three months following October 7, with around 7,000 believed to still be missing under the rubble.
Israel asserts that the case brought by South Africa attempts to weaponize the term genocide to delegitimize the existence of the Israeli state and ignores Hamas' responsibility. South Africa told the court yesterday that the Israeli assault targets the "destruction of the population" in Gaza. It added that Israeli political and military leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are "inciters of genocide."
Atya Jawabra, a 68-year-old former political science professor at Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, expressed that he has long awaited Israel's appearance before an international court for its crimes, which he says date back to the mass expulsion of Palestinians during the 1948 war. He added, "The United States and the West have placed Israel above the law throughout its history."
