ICJ genocide case of South Africa vs Israel

Medics demonstrate outside UK Parliament 16/12/23 Image ICN/JS

Toine van Teeffelen, from the Pax Christi partner, Arab Education Institute in Bethlehem writes: At the initiative of South Africa, the genocide case against Israel will be heard next week at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This will likely revolve around whether there is an Israeli genocidal intent in or towards the people of Gaza.

By using Israeli newspaper columns and commentaries, you can effortlessly compile a representative list of authoritative statements justifying war crimes.

Firstly, there are statements of direct genocidal intentions. The complete "destruction" or "flattening" of Gaza is often recommended in Israeli news shows. Both Netanyahu and a popular singer compare the war in Gaza to the Biblical-Israeli struggle against Amalek, which, according to the Bible/Torah, had to be ruthlessly exterminated along with its population.

The assertion that there are "no innocents" in Gaza has been made several times by Israeli leaders and influential figures, including the president. At the beginning of the war, the Minister of Defense spoke about "human animals" in Gaza, leaving it unclear whether he was referring to Hamas fighters or the population of Gaza. The dropping of an atomic bomb on Gaza as a deterrent has been among others recommended by a minister and a parliamentarian.

Secondly, there are statements about mass deportation. This is precisely what is happening in Gaza with the population being forced to move en masse from the north to the south, which is also clearly unsafe. The extreme right-wing in the Israeli government, Ben Gvir and Smotrich, both in important ministerial positions, suggest that the population of Gaza can be reduced from 2.3 million to 100-200,000 (Smotrich), and that "emigration" is the most "humane" solution for Palestinians in Gaza (Ben Gvir).

Thirdly, there is dehumanization that accompanies the fate of Palestinians who must be understood to never challenge the occupation or indeed any hierarchical relationship with Israel. This is currently happening in both Gaza and the West Bank. The intention behind the images is clearer than words can express: parading prisoners in underwear, forcing Palestinians to crawl on arms and legs, making them kiss the Israeli flag, and numerous other humiliations. A prisoner told his lawyer that prisoners were repeatedly forced to lie flat on the floor and say "Am Yisrael Chai" [the people of Israel live], under the threat of being beaten.

You hear these kinds of stories in Bethlehem as well. Recently, I learned about a young man who, after a few days of detention, was forced to walk for kilometers in his underwear at night on a road in a deserted part of the West Bank before reaching populated areas. Such experience stays with you for the rest of your life.

Inhumane statements or attitudes are not only found among the Israeli elite, including government leaders, parliamentarians, TV personalities, and influencers. Listen in the Israeli street or the café, and you'll hear them. Lawyer Michael Sfard, who a few days ago wrote a documented letter to the Israeli Attorney General about the prevalent political rhetoric, said he never thought he would have to write such a letter. "The fact that this type of speech has completely left the distant, insignificant fringes [of Israeli society] and has come into the mainstream in such a massive way is incomprehensible to me."

In a city like Bethlehem, this attitude among the neighbours leaves its mark. People feel particularly unprotected. The expression "First Gaza, then the West Bank" is one you hear.

It is not surprising that more people here are thinking about emigration, and the number of emigrants is actually increasing. This is, of course, exactly the intention of Smotrich and Ben Gvir and their associates, to encourage Palestinians, especially in the West Bank, to emigrate. Rumors are circulating that Canada (Trudeau denies it) or the Congo (which Congo is not clear) want to host Palestinian refugees or immigrants.

What doesn't help is the economy in the West Bank, which is deteriorating heavily, causing many families to expect they won't be able to make ends meet soon. People can hardly travel safely between cities with all the checkpoints. The prices of gasoline, electricity, and food are rising, and employment is declining.

LINKS and SOURCES

Opinion | The Road to The Hague Is Paved With Israeli Calls for Genocide of Gazans

Editorial | Genocide Charge Against Israel Must Serve as a Wake-up Call

Editorial | Israel Must Stop Abusing and Humiliating Palestinian Prisoners

Israeli public figures accuse judiciary of ignoring incitement to genocide in Gaza

Arab Education Institute, Bethlehem: https://aeicenter.org/