Colombia Seeks to Join South Africa’s ICJ Lawsuit against Israel

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirmed on Friday that Colombia has formally requested to join South Africa's lawsuit against "Israel" regarding alleged genocide in the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, Colombian Ambassador to Uruguay Juan Jose Quintana Aranguren announced that Bogota urged all states-signatories to the Genocide Convention to support South Africa's lawsuit. "On Saturday, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, Colombia submitted a declaration of intervention in the case concerning the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)," the statement read.

In its statement, Colombia emphasized that the Genocide Convention holds significant importance in international law and highlighted that its case against "Israel" raises crucial issues regarding the interpretation and application of certain provisions of the convention, as stated by the ICJ.

South Africa initiated its lawsuit against "Israel" on December 29, 2023. On January 26, the ICJ issued provisional measures directing "Israel" to take urgent actions to prevent acts of genocide and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the region.

In early March, the African nation returned to the ICJ to request additional provisional measures against "Israel" aimed at addressing the widespread starvation among Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.