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Ministry of Judicial Affairs

The Icelandic government has decided to participate in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, brought before the International Court of Justice. The Ministry of Judicial Affairs announced the news online, March 11. 

In late 2023, South Africa brought a case before the ICJ  regarding Israel’s conduct in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a humanitarian crisis and mass killings of Palestinians. South Africa has claimed that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza and breached the 1948 Genocide Convention. 

With the case, South Africa insists that Israel is breaching its commitment to the Genocide Convention based on its conduct during the armed conflict, which restarted in October, 2023.  

In accordance with Iceland’s policy

Icelandic authorities have emphasised the responsibilities of international courts to decide whether a genocide is being committed. In accordance to ICJ’s rules, Iceland’s participation is limited to reviewing how governments should interpret the Genocide Convention. 

“The international society is responsible for bringing forward cases regarding breaches of international law to independent courts,” Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir is quoted in the press release. “With Iceland’s participation in South Africa’s case before the ICJ, we are using our voice to the benefit of international law and human rights. And we can be proud of that,” she continued. 

The decision fulfils a policy motion submitted and confirmed in Alþingi in November 2023 regarding Iceland’s stance towards the conflict in the Levant region. 

In addition to Iceland, a total of 35 states and international organisations have supported South Africa’s case. Iceland becomes the fifth European country to do so, joining Belgium, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain.