Gaza crisis: South Africa warns of "unquestionable genocide" in Gaza and global legal collapse

By bellecarter // 2025-07-21

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South African International Relations Minister Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri labeled the situation in Gaza as "unquestionably a genocide" during a summit in Bogota, Colombia, on July 16, reflecting escalating global concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Representatives from nearly two dozen countries, including Western nations, endorsed a set of six measures aimed at curbing Israel's military operations, including calls for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian aid access, indicating a growing international consensus on the need for urgent action.
Phiri emphasized the importance of enforcing International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings and UN resolutions, warning that the credibility of the global legal system is at risk if these rulings are not upheld and urging swift action to prevent further devastation in Gaza.
Phiri highlighted the need for more countries to join the Hague Group, a coalition committed to implementing the Genocide Convention and stressed that declarations of solidarity are meaningless without enforcement, criticizing states that support UN resolutions rhetorically but fail to act.
The South African government's case filed with the ICJ in December 2023, alleging Israel's actions in Gaza are "genocidal in character," is seen as a significant test of the international community's commitment to upholding the Genocide Convention, with the ICJ's ruling expected to be a critical indicator of the court's ability to enforce its decisions amidst geopolitical pressures.

South African International Relations Minister Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri declared the situation in Gaza as "unquestionably a genocide" during a two-day summit held in Bogota, Colombia, on July 16. The summit, attended by representatives from nearly two dozen countries, including several Western nations, underscored the escalating global concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Phiri's remarks came on the heels of a joint declaration by participating countries, which endorsed a set of six measures aimed at curbing Israel's military operations in the region. The measures, which include calls for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, reflect a growing international consensus on the need for urgent action to address the crisis. Phiri emphasized the importance of enforcing International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings and United Nations resolutions, stating, "International law is only as good as the states who are able to implement it." He warned that the credibility of the global legal system is at risk if these rulings are not upheld. "By the time the ICJ issues a final ruling, there may be no Gaza to speak of," he cautioned, urging swift action to prevent further devastation. Phiri expressed hope that more countries would join the so-called Hague Group, a coalition of nations committed to implementing the Genocide Convention. He stressed the need for concrete action, saying, "Declarations of solidarity mean little without enforcement." He also criticized the "hypocrisy" of states that support UN resolutions rhetorically but fail to take meaningful action.

The role of international law and global response

The South African government's decision to file a case with the ICJ in December 2023, alleging that Israel's actions in Gaza are "genocidal in character," marks a significant development in the legal battle for justice. The case is seen as a test of the international community's commitment to upholding the principles of the Genocide Convention, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust to prevent future atrocities. The ICJ's ruling, expected in the coming months, will be closely watched by legal experts and human rights advocates around the world. It will also serve as a critical test of the court's ability to enforce its decisions in the face of geopolitical pressures. The involvement of Western nations such as Spain, Ireland and Norway in the Bogota summit is a sign of growing international pressure on Israel to change course. These countries have traditionally been more sympathetic to Israel's security concerns, but the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted a reevaluation of their stance. Phiri acknowledged the significance of their participation, stating, "Their involvement signals a concerted effort and commitment." However, he also emphasized the need for these countries to back their words with action, saying, "Solidarity without enforcement is meaningless." His call for a "concerted effort" to implement the Genocide Convention and enforce ICJ rulings is a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The international community must find a way to balance the need for justice with the imperative of preventing further bloodshed. The situation in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, with South Africa's warning of "unquestionable genocide" highlighting the urgency of the crisis. The international community faces a pivotal moment in its commitment to upholding international law and preventing further human suffering. As Phiri noted, the time for action is now, before it is too late to save Gaza and the principles of justice and human rights that underpin the global legal order. (Related: Holocaust scholar Omer Bartov: Israel is committing GENOCIDE in Gaza.) Watch the video below that talks about the West's active participation in Israel's genocide in Gaza. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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The role of international law and global response

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