Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has announced that it “stands in full support and solidarity” with the decision taken by the South African government to file an application before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against “Apartheid Israel”.
The EFF said: “The move, concerning Israel’s violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, is a bold and commendable step towards seeking justice and accountability”.
Since October 7, Israel has tragically claimed the lives of over 21 000 Palestinians, half of whom are children.
“They have done this through consistent bombing of homes, hospitals, schools, and the use of indiscriminate direct gunfire, accompanied by the use of prohibited weapons such as white phosphorus, a blatant violation of international law,” the EFF said in a statement released on Sunday.
“Furthermore, Israel has shown a disregard for press freedom by targeting and killing journalists in the field trying to show the plight of Palestinians to the world.
“The consequence of these actions has been the displacement of millions, forming part of an alarming effort to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land.”
According to the extensive 84-page application, the South African government contends that the actions and omissions by Israel, as outlined in the Genocide Convention, are “genocidal in character”.
South Africa is pursuing justice by seeking the Court’s jurisdiction on Article 36, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the Court and on Article IX of the Genocide Convention, to which both South Africa and Israel are parties.
The EFF said: “Furthermore, the government is requesting the ICJ to implement provisional measures to stop Israel from committing further harm against the rights of Palestinians and ensure their actions fall in line with the Genocide Convention, ensuring compliance with international obligations.
“The EFF supports this submission by our government, as an organisation that has been consistently pushing the government to act against Apartheid Israel.
“Since this escalation of violence against Palestinians, we have marched on the Israeli embassy, called for boycotts of Israeli-connected companies, presented a successful motion in parliament to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa, and demonstrated our support for the Palestinian freedom fighters, Hamas.”
The statement from the EFF – South Africa’s third largest party in both houses of Parliament – added: “We therefore applaud South Africa for its principled stance in pursuing justice and accountability on the global platform.
“This is noteworthy given the prevailing silence and inaction from Western governments, who persist in supporting Israel’s actions by supplying weapons and penalising those who openly condemn them.
“The EFF earnestly calls upon the global community to rally behind South Africa’s application, urging collective efforts to alleviate the plight of Palestinians, ensure accountability for Israel’s actions, and bring an end to the prolonged colonial occupation of Palestine by Israel.
“The EFF also calls on the South African government to follow through with the National Assembly motion to expel the Israeli embassy from South Africa, as we stand in true solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
