Overview

• South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
• Israel has rejected the accusations, arguing that it has the right to defend itself after an attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis.
• Belgium has declared its support for the ICJ's decision, stating that if the court calls on Israel to cease its military campaign in Gaza, they will fully support it.
• The ICJ's ruling is enforced by the UN Security Council, which can take a range of measures in the event of a violation, including economic sanctions.
• The case brought by South Africa is seen as the “best use of institutions that are available,” according to David Simon, director of the genocide studies program at Yale.