Spain has announced its intention to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. This move makes Spain the first European country to support the case since South Africa filed it late last year, alleging breaches of the genocide convention by Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Foreign Minister JosĆ© Manuel Albares stated on Thursday that Spain’s decision is motivated by the ongoing military operation in Gaza. “We want peace to return to Gaza and the Middle East, and for that to happen we must all support the court,” Albares emphasized.
South Africa’s case has already seen Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Libya, and the Palestinians request to join. The ICJ has ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah, Gaza, although it has not mandated a ceasefire for the entire enclave. Israel has not adhered to the court’s order.
Israel denies the accusations of genocide, arguing that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas, which launched a deadly attack on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel’s air and land strikes have resulted in the deaths of 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Additionally, on May 28, Spain, Norway, and Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state, coordinating their efforts to increase international pressure on Israel.
