SA achieved its goal at ICJ: Dangor

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International Relations and Cooperation Director-General Zane Dangor says South Africa has achieved its goal before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He hopes that countries that feel international law is key, will work with South Africa.

He says Israel must respect the orders of the court. Participating virtually at the symposium hosted by University of KwaZulu-Natal discussing the Palestine question, Dangor says international law is under the microscope.

“We are little astounded national criticisms by some that why are we taking the legal route and not political route. We thought that we needed to take the legal route to stop the killing and that also informed that why we took article 9 as rather than article 8 as the vehicle for our petition under the genocide convention because we wanted the potential provisional orders that were binding. I think the legal team outlined the facts very very succinctly. They outlined all the genocidal acts.”

Meanwhile, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa’s work to stop the genocide in Gaza will not just stop at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) but will also continue on the political front in the UN.

The ICJ on Friday ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Ramaphosa says the work will also continue in seeking support for the ICJ case from other countries. He was speaking during the ANC NEC Lekgotla in Boksburg on Gauteng’s East Rand.

“The decision made by the International Court of Justice on the 26th of January vindicates the step that was taken by our country. But also vindicates the international system, it restores faith in international institutions to defend the rights of the most vulnerable. And it is quite pleasing that a number of countries have been ready, willing and prepared to join small little South Africa in this case.”