Reasons Revealed: Resignation of Israel's Representative at the International Court of Justice

Officials announced on Wednesday that "Aharon Barak, former president of the Israeli Supreme Court, has resigned from his position as a special judge at the International Court of Justice, which is examining allegations of genocide related to Israel's war in Gaza." In his resignation letter dated June 4, which was republished by Israeli media, the 87-year-old Barak attributed his decision to unspecified personal and family reasons. According to the rules of the International Court of Justice, a state that does not already have a judge of its nationality on the bench can choose a special judge to represent it. It remains unclear who Israel may appoint to replace Barak. Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated in a message thanking Barak for his service in The Hague: "We will continue to stand firmly against the evil, hypocrisy, and defamation against the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces." The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide serves as the basis for South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in Gaza, as the treaty grants the court jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between signatories of the agreement.