By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Turkey plans to request joining South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “Turkey, one of the fiercest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, will be the latest country to ask to participate in the case,” said a Turkish official. President Erdogan has compared Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Hitler, accusing Israel of genocide.
South Africa initiated the case, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through military operations in Gaza. Israel denies this, stating “the war in Gaza was a legitimate defensive action against Hamas militants for their October 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.”
Countries like Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Spain, and Palestinian officials have also requested to join. The ICJ’s final decision could take years. Erdogan’s tenure has seen volatile relations with Israel, with recent conflicts disrupting attempts to normalize ties.
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