South Africa takes Israel to Court
Why did South Africa issue a case against Israel for genocide?
Lately, there has been significant media coverage in connection with South Africa's court case against Israel before the International Court of Justice. Associate Professor Stig Jensen has been in the media with analysis and perspectives on South Africa's motives for bringing the case to the international court.
Overall, there are three main motivations for South Africa filing this court case. Firstly, the historical aspect; South Africa, and the ruling ANC party remember the close relations between Israel and Apartheid South Africa. Secondly, internal politics in South Africa are motivated by the upcoming election. President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC are under increased pressure the court case is expected to increase support for ANC and the President. Thirdly, is the geopolitical perspective where President Cyril Ramaphosa wants to increasingly be a proactive actor on the international political scene. South Africa already plays a central role in BRICS where last year the organization, at a meeting headed by Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa, decided to expand by adding more member countries. Additionally, Cyril Ramaphosa headed an AU peace delegation to Ukraine and Russia further solidifying South Africa on the international political scene. With all this in mind it become clear that the ICJ court case can be seen as another South African initiative to assert themselves as an important international actor. Finally, these initiatives should also be seen as following in the spirit of Nelson Mandela by fighting for a better world based on anti-apartheid dialogue.
Interviews with Stig Jensen can be found in the Danish newspaper Information, in the Danish Online media globalnyt.dk and in a podcast episode by Radio 4.
Listen to the episode here (titled 'Kan Israel Dømmes for Folkemord'), in Danish.