South Africa hails “step toward justice” as World Court orders Israel to protect Gaza

Johannesburg, South Africa: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ignited a wave of celebration across the nation as he praised the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) emergency measures against Israel regarding the Gaza conflict. Hailing the decision as a “step towards justice,” Ramaphosa demanded Israeli compliance with the court’s orders, which aim to prevent further harm to Palestinians and improve the humanitarian situation in the war-torn region.

The ICC ruling, delivered Friday, stopped short of declaring full-blown genocide but dealt a significant blow to Israel’s actions in Gaza. It instructed the state to take all possible steps to restrain its troops from committing violence and punish any acts of incitement. Critically, it also obligated Israel to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis currently gripping Gaza.

“We, as South Africans, will not turn a blind eye to such injustices,” declared Ramaphosa, echoing the nation’s deep empathy for the Palestinian people. He drew parallels between the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and the brutal abuses suffered by Black South Africans under apartheid, a powerful comparison that resonated deeply with the nation.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its Order in the case South Africa v. Israelhttps://t.co/pfQNjw5WLE

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 26, 2024

Israel vehemently rejected the allegations of genocide and dismissed the ICC ruling as “grossly distorted.” However, within South Africa, a wave of jubilation swept through the country. ANC supporters gathered across the nation, some adorned in the iconic keffiyeh headscarf, to celebrate the verdict. Singing and dancing erupted as news of the court’s decision reached party gatherings in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“This is the first step towards ending the violence against innocent Palestinians,” an elated ANC official, Justin de Allende, told Reuters. The party leadership expressed immense satisfaction with the ruling, viewing it as a significant vindication of their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.