Belgium files declaration to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Belgium has submitted a formal declaration of intervention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the case initiated by South Africa against Israel for violations of the Genocide Convention in the Gaza Strip.

The ICJ made the announcement on Tuesday, noting that Belgium lodged its declaration on December 23 based on Article 63 of the Court’s Statute, which allows states that are parties to a convention under interpretation in ongoing proceedings to intervene.

Belgium's intervention specifically focuses on the interpretation and application of Articles I through VI of the Genocide Convention, placing particular emphasis on Article II and the issue of establishing genocidal intent through “specific intent.”

The court has requested both South Africa and Israel to submit written observations on Belgium’s declaration, as stipulated by Article 83 of the Rules of Court.

South Africa brought its case before the top UN court in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during its military aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The 84-page application said that Israel has committed acts intended to wipe out the Palestinians.

The evidence included statements by Israeli officials expressing “genocidal intent,” and a list of how Israel's alleged actions had met the definition of genocide.

South Africa files 750-page evidence at ICJ against Israeli genocide in Gaza

Israel will have until July 2025 to submit a response to allegations that it is committing genocide against the Gazans.

On January 26, 2023, the ICJ said it was plausible that Israel had breached the Genocide Convention. As an emergency measure, it ordered Israel to ensure that its army refrained from genocidal acts against the Palestinians.

Several states requested intervention in South Africa's case at the time, including Bolivia, the Maldives, Chile, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya, Colombia, and Nicaragua.

ICJ orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza

The United Nations

The ICJ, headquartered in The Hague, serves as the United Nations’ principal judicial organ and is responsible for resolving legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN bodies and agencies.

Belgium’s latest move adds to the increasing international legal scrutiny surrounding the case, as proceedings at the world court continue.

Israel launched its campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The regime has killed at least 70,937 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,190.

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