South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, has accused Israel of defying the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and setting a dangerous precedent for leaders to disregard international law. South Africa has taken Israel to the ICJ, alleging genocide in the conflict triggered by a Hamas attack in October 2023, which has led to Israel facing criticism from the United States.
Pandor claimed that Israel has ignored the ICJ’s interim ruling in January, which instructed the country to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. She emphasized that there is a campaign of mass starvation and famine in Gaza, and expressed concern that the inaction of the international community may embolden other nations to act with impunity.
In response to criticisms of South Africa’s actions, Pandor defended her country’s decision to pursue legal avenues, stating that South Africa is merely following the principles advocated by the West. She emphasized the importance of respecting international institutions, and condemned the idea that African leaders should be expected to adhere to different standards than leaders from other regions.
Aside from the conflict in Gaza, Pandor also discussed South Africa’s efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, revealing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit South Africa in the near future. This diplomatic initiative is seen as an attempt to facilitate dialogue between the two countries amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
While the Biden administration has expressed hope of maintaining cooperation with South Africa despite disagreements, there are indications that the US Congress is reviewing a bill that would reassess the overall relationship with South Africa. This comes after Republican Representative John James introduced a bill to reevaluate ties with South Africa due to concerns about the country’s relationships with China, Russia, and Hamas.
Pandor criticized the proposed legislation, arguing that democracies should allow for differences of opinion and that punitive measures against South Africa due to policy disagreements are unfortunate. She stressed the importance of engaging in dialogue and mutual respect between countries, despite their differences.
Overall, South Africa’s actions and stance on international issues have drawn both support and criticism, highlighting the complexities of diplomatic relations and adherence to international law.
