Belgium joined South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the UN court

Belgium announced its decision to join the lawsuit filed by the Republic of South Africa at the International Court of Justice, in which Israel is accused of violating the provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in connection with actions in the Gaza Strip. Brussels’ decision signifies an expansion of the international coalition of states supporting the legal proceedings at the UN’s highest judicial body.

The case was initiated by the Republic of South Africa and registered in late 2023. It alleges that the actions of the Israeli authorities and armed forces in Gaza have led to mass civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and the creation of conditions that may fall under the definition of genocide in international law. Israel rejects these accusations, stating that its military operations are directed solely against armed groups and are conducted within the framework of the right to self-defense.

Belgium’s accession is carried out under Article 63 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, which allows states to participate in cases involving the interpretation of international conventions. Thus, Belgium does not become a party to the dispute in the full sense, but gains the right to present its legal position on the application of the Genocide Convention and the interpretation of its norms.

Previously, support for South Africa’s case was announced by Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, Colombia, the Comoros, Cuba, Libya, the Maldives, Mexico, Palestine, Turkey, and Chile. The expansion of the list of countries reflects growing international attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and increases political pressure surrounding the judicial process.

The International Court of Justice has already considered requests for provisional measures. The Court previously ordered Israel to take steps to prevent possible violations of the Convention and to improve humanitarian access, without issuing a final ruling on the merits of the allegations. Consideration of the case on the merits may take several years.

Experts note that even without immediate legal consequences, such proceedings have a significant political effect. They shape the international legal context, influence diplomatic positions of states, and may be used in future discussions on sanctions, arms supplies, and cooperation with the parties to the conflict.

The Israeli side insists that the court is being used for political purposes, while the initiators of the case emphasize that recourse to the International Court of Justice is a lawful mechanism for protecting international humanitarian law. As more states join, the case is acquiring an increasingly broad international scope and is becoming one of the key legal processes related to the conflict around the Gaza Strip.

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