By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Inside

It’s been over 600 days since the genocide in Palestine has taken place. 54,148 Palestinians have been murdered and 124,190 Palestinians have been wounded in the Gaza strip. As of 1 June 2025, at least 31 Palestinians were killed and over 200 were injured in the space of a day near an aid distribution point in Rafah, Southern Gaza.

There have been multiple eye-witness reports and several medical aid responders have reported that Israeli forces had opened fire on Palestinians attempting to receive aid and relief. The Health Ministry has made reports that many of the victims of this brutal attack were shot in the head and in the chest.

This continued destruction upon Gaza has the world in complete agony, specifically South Africa as they have expressed their commitment to helping end the destruction on the Gaza strip. On 29 December 2023, South Africa boldly took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) because of the erupting destruction in Gaza, as the case is still on-going. Considering that the ICJ, which is also known as the World Court, is the United Nations highest legal body which handles cases brought forth by member states, this has sparked certain division among certain states who are either on the spectrum of Pro-Palestine or in support of Israel.

Due to this case carried out by the South African state, many countries who are in support of Israel most notably the United States who are also providing financial backing to Israel, have expressed disdain towards South Africa’s claims that Israel are perpetrating genocide against Palestine.

South Africa are among countries who are calling for an international investigation to be launched against Israel, as it is emphasised that if indeed two states are involved in a war against each other then the occupying state must ensure that there is clear medical aid and that protection is being provided for civilians. An obligation that Israel has not fulfilled and have firmly continued to deny. “In the past several hours, false reports have been spread out with severe accusations against the Israeli Defence Force (IDF)” according to a statement by the IDF.

According to a statement by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation “South Africa further recalls that the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in it’s ongoing case concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against Israel, has issued three rounds of binding provisional measures aimed at halting irreparable harm to the Palestinian population.” the statement read. “These have included specific instructions for the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid , all of which have been flagrantly defied by Israeli authorities.” the statement continued. In December 2023, the Israeli President Isaac Herzog, has expressed anger and disdain over South Africa’s claims of genocide calling the accusations “Preposterous” and has expressed that Israel fully intends on defending themselves at the Court. The Israeli government has claimed that the killing of 23,000 people (which was the death toll in Gaza at the time) in Palestine is justified as being in self-defense. “Israel will present proudly our case of using self-defense under our most inherent right under International Humanitarian Law.” said Herzog to Antony Blinken who was the U.S secretary of State at the time according to reports by Al Jazeera.

There are several countries who are linked to being in support of Israel’s right to “Self Defense” most notable countries being the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom have all expressed their support of Israel. The United States in particular are Israel’s main trade partner. They believe that their relations with Israel are founded on strategic values as a stabilizing power in the Middle East region, the United States have even gone to the extent of providing backing for Israel in the way of military aid and have given Israel US$3.8 billion in funding provisions.

The former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express the United Kingdom’s support of Israel, the United Kingdom has also provided Israel with Military aid. Germany are also expressive in bringing down Hamas and providing military aid as former Councilor of Germany, Olaf Scholz has expressed that military aid will always be open to Israel.

Palestine is recognized globally by 147 of the 193 UN state members which constitutes 75% of the international community. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed in April 2025 that the French Republic intends on recognising Palestine and has also expressed that the French Republic will move to help resolve the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Among the countries that recognise Palestine as a sovereign state is Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran and most notably the Republic of South Africa.

These countries have given voice to the people of Palestine with Indonesia providing US$500,000 relief to Palestine. Iran has expressed that it will continue to be proactive in helping Palestine fight against Israel as they even provide military training to Hamas. During a speech at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2024, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan spoke out about the destruction of Palestine perpetrated by Israel and has expressed that they are flagrantly committing heinous acts of violence against civilians.

South Africa is not complicit in Israel’s occupation of Gaza as these are remnants of what South Africa experienced in Apartheid and have not been hesitant to call out any country that is perpetrating similar forms of oppression.

South Africa’s case of genocidal acts at ICJ against Israel is still ongoing and a sentencing could possibly take up to three-four years.