Nicaragua Aims to Join South Africa in World Court Genocide Case Against Israel, Reports Reuters

Nicaragua Seeks to Join South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Nicaragua has officially applied to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to participate in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, the ICJ announced on Thursday.

In its statement, the court indicated that Nicaragua believes Israel’s actions contravene its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

South Africa and Israel have been requested to submit written responses regarding Nicaragua’s application to intervene in the proceedings.

Historically, such interventions are rarely permitted by the ICJ. Although several other nations have expressed interest in joining the Gaza genocide case, Nicaragua is the first to take formal action.

In December 2023, South Africa filed a case against Israel, alleging violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention related to its military actions against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

Last month, the World Court directed Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to provide greater assistance to civilians, but it did not mandate a ceasefire as South Africa had requested.