The Government is going to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, will update Cabinet today that he has directed officials to prepare a Declaration of Intervention.
If approved by Government, this will be filed at the court in The Hague for the case against Israel under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
It is not clear yet what points of law Ireland will reply upon for its intervention.
Last December, South Africa instituted proceedings at the ICJ claiming Israel had violated obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide during military operations following the 7 October Hamas attacks.
South Africa also asked the court to order provisional measures including an immediate suspension of military operations in Gaza.
On 26 January, the court ordered a number of provisional measures, directing Israel to ensure its military does not commit any genocidal acts and to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
The Government has been under sustained pressure from the opposition to intervene in the case.
Mr Martin had previously said that an intervention would be strongly considered by Government, but he had argued that detailed legal analysis was needed.
Earlier this week, the Tánaiste called Israel’s announcement it would block all UNRWA aid to the north of Gaza as completely unacceptable.
South Africa’s genocide case against Israel explained
