Netanyahu defends Israel's unparalleled 'morality' in Gaza war

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejected South Africa’s charge that Israel was committing “genocidal” acts in Gaza.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejected South Africa’s charge that Israel was committing “genocidal” acts in Gaza.

PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Follow topic:

TEL AVIV - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec 31 said Israel displayed unparalleled “morality” in the Gaza war.

He rejected South Africa’s charge

that Israel was committing “genocidal” acts

in the Palestinian territory.

“We will continue our defensive war, the justice and morality of which is without peer,” Mr Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv.

His comment came after South Africa launched a case on Dec 29 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for what it said were “genocidal” acts in Gaza.

“No, South Africa, it is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“It would murder all of us if it could. In contrast, the IDF (Israeli army) is acting as morally as possible.”

Israel launched a relentless military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian armed group carried out an attack on southern Israel on Oct 7.

The attack left about 1,140 people dead, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Israel’s ongoing Gaza offensive has killed more than 21,800 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. AFP

See more on