Chile to join South Africa ICJ case against 'Israel'
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Chilean President Gabriel Boric announces that his country will be joining South Africa in its ICJ case against the Israeli occupation over its war crimes in Gaza.
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Chilean President Gabriel Boric gives a speech in Washington, the United States, on September 23, 2023 (AP)
Chile will be joining the lawsuit filed by South Africa against the Israeli occupation for its commission of genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), President Gabriel Boric said Saturday.
The initial lawsuit was filed by South Africa on December 29, 2023, accusing the Israeli occupation of committing genocide against the people of Gaza.
On January 26, the ICJ issued provisional measures demanding that "Israel" take urgent steps to prevent further acts of genocide and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into the blockaded strip. However, the ICJ stopped short of ordering an immediate ceasefire.
"Israel" has repeatedly denied the allegations, maintaining that its onslaught in Gaza is aimed at eliminating Hamas fighters, even though it has killed over 36,379 Palestinians and injured 82,407 others.
In early March, South Africa returned to the ICJ, seeking additional provisional measures to address the widespread starvation plaguing Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
President Boric, in a statement to the Chilean newspaper La Tercera, confirmed Chile's support for South Africa's case.
"I have decided that Chile will support the case presented by South Africa against Israel in the international court. I have instructed the foreign ministry to prepare a report with our arguments," Boric stated.
This comes after Mexico also demanded to intervene in the case against "Israel", as well. Mexico invoked Article 63 of the ICJ statute and submitted a declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In its declaration, Mexico stated that it "seeks to intervene, in order to provide its view on the potential construction of the content of the provisions of the Convention relevant to this case."
It remains uncertain whether the ICJ will accept Mexico's application for intervention.
