SAJBD Critiques South African Government's Legal Action Against Israel at ICJ

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has publicly denounced the South African government's decision to bring forth a legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This move by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has been prompted by allegations of Israel's breaches of the Genocide Convention related to actions in Gaza.

DIRCO's filing alleges that Israel has been engaging in acts that could be classified as genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza. It is a stark accusation that follows a period of intensified conflict, where an outbreak of violence has lasted for nearly twelve weeks, catalyzed by a Hamas offensive on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials report over 1,000 fatalities, most of whom are civilians, while the Gaza Health Ministry indicates a much higher toll.

While acknowledging the dire need for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian imbroglio, the SAJBD's criticism pivots on the strategy adopted by the South African government. Instead of leveraging its influence to mediate, the SAJBD laments the state's choice to engage in a legal fight at the ICJ. They hold a firm belief that the approach lacks sincerity in pursuing a peaceful solution and, furthermore, they disdain the government's leverage of their December meeting.

Karen Milner, the national chairperson of the SAJBD, detailed concerns over the interpretation of their discussions with government officials, stating that it was misrepresented in the context of the case filed against Israel. The meeting, intended to address anti-Semitism and consular discrepancies, according to Milner, has been twisted to suggest a different narrative—a claim which the SAJBD strongly refutes.

In their view, South Africa’s involvement at the ICJ is a misappropriation of efforts that could be better channeled towards constructive dialogue between Israel and Palestine. The SAJBD's stance is that the recent moves by the government are counterproductive and a deviation from a role that South Africa could positively play in international peacebuilding initiatives.

For the SAJBD, this latest unfolding not only calls into question the credibility of the state's actions but also highlights a perceived descent into partisanship that does not resonate with the Board’s expectations of their government's foreign policy engagements.