SA Gets New Deadline in Israel Genocide Case

The International Court of Justice has set new deadlines in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, pushing the next major filing date to November 2027.

The case was launched by South Africa in December 2023 after Hamas’ 7 October attacks on Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza.

South Africa argues that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocidal acts.

The case is being heard by the ICJ in The Hague, the world’s highest court.

Israel filed its response to South Africa’s main arguments in March. The court has now given South Africa until November 2027 to reply.

Israel gets until 2029 to respond

The Presidency said Israel will have until May 2029 to respond to South Africa’s second round of arguments.

By that stage, the case will have been before the court for more than five years.

The court summoned parties to The Hague in April to set out the next steps and timelines.

According to the Presidency, a second round of written pleadings is not unusual in genocide cases.

It said previous genocide cases before the court have allowed parties to submit a reply and a rejoinder.

Jurisdiction challenge must be answered

South Africa will also have to respond to Israel’s argument that the ICJ does not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

That argument was made in Israel’s counter-memorial.

Under the court’s rules, written pleadings remain confidential unless the ICJ decides otherwise.

However, Israel has publicly said its counter-memorial argues that it has intended to neutralise Hamas’ military and governing capacity, not to attack Palestinians.

The Presidency said South Africa remains firm in its position that self-defence is not a defence against genocide.