South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel Must Consider Freedom Of Expression Violations

By IFEX Photos: YouTube Screenshots In light of the genocide case initiated by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ARTICLE 19 urges the ICJ to carefully examine the numerous grave freedom of expression violations detailed in South Africa’s application, and their contribution to potential acts of genocide. When evaluating South Africa’s claims, the ICJ should consider in particular severe violations of international human rights and humanitarian law – such as the killings of journalists, stringent censorship measures and communication blackouts enforced by Israel – that have seriously impeded the ability to document violations of international law in Gaza, with potentially devastating effects on future accountability efforts. On 29 December 2023, South Africa, one of the biggest critics of Israel’s military action in Gaza, instituted proceedings against Israel before the ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The application alleges that Israel’s conduct in relation to Palestinians in Gaza violates its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Genocide Convention). The application also contains a request for the indication of provisional measures ordering Israel, among others, to suspend military operations in Gaza, take all reasonable measures...