Israel responds to South Africa’s genocide case on the ICJ

Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara says Israel’s authorized staff began off weak however made just a few sturdy factors close to the tip.

Bishara stated the legal professionals’ efforts to deflect blame for Israel’s assaults and ignore the context of Israel’s 75-year occupation of Palestine got here throughout as “illogical”.

Their claims that Israel’s forces try to guard, slightly than hurt, civilians have been additionally unconvincing given the toll of the struggle: 23,357 Palestinians, together with 9,600 kids, since October 7.

Nevertheless, Bishara stated Israel’s legal professionals did properly to zero in on the jurisdiction of the ICJ – declaring that the courtroom should particularly show Israel is responsible of genocidal intent, not every other violations.

“You’ll be able to declare Israel has dedicated heinous crimes, but when they don’t fall underneath the framework of genocide, the courtroom has no jurisdiction,” Bishara stated.