The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday granted the African Union permission to participate in South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide.
“The International Court of Justice has authorized the African Union, at its request, to participate in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations, and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” according to an ICJ statement released on Feb. 20.
South Africa filed its case against the Jewish state on Dec. 29, 2023.
The African Union is likely to be able to provide information on the question put to the court’s general assembly, the ICJ statement continued. The AU will present a written statement on that question by Feb. 28.
In February 2024, Israel thwarted attempts by South Africa and Algeria end its observer status at the AU.
The two African countries had also planned to urge the union’s 55 member states to sever relations with Israel and introduce a proposal that would declare Israel guilty of genocide for its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In February 2023, an Israeli delegation was ejected from the AU’s annual summit in Ethiopia, a move the Israeli Foreign Ministry blamed on “extremist” countries influenced by Iran.
