US, South Africa discuss Gaza war ahead of ruling on measures in genocide case
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Israel's military operation has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 25,000 people.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Jan 25 with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor about the war in Gaza, a day ahead of a ruling at the World Court on urgent measures in a case in which Israel is accused of genocide
Why it is important
UN judges on Jan 26 will rule on South Africa's request for emergency measures against Israel, which is accused at the International Court of Justice of state-led genocide for its military operation in Gaza.
Jan 26’s ruling will not deal with the core accusation of the case – whether genocide occurred – but will focus on the urgent intervention sought by South Africa.
Key quotes
In a call on Jan 25, Mr Blinken reaffirmed US support “for Israel’s right to ensure the terrorist attacks of Oct 7 can never be repeated”, the US State Department said in a statement.
Mr Blinken and Dr Pandor also discussed the need to protect civilian lives in Gaza, and ensure regional peace that “advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state”, according to the State Department.
It added that the two also reaffirmed US-South Africa bilateral ties.
Context
South Africa has requested an immediate halt to Israel's military operation, which has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 25,000 people
Israel rejects the accusations from South Africa and says it has a right to defend itself following the Oct 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza. Israeli officials say that in that attack 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage.
South Africa has asked for nine emergency measures, which act like a restraining order while the court hears the case in full, which could take years. The court is not bound to follow South Africa's requests, and could order its own measures if it finds it has jurisdiction at this stage of the case. REUTERS
