NATO member to join genocide case against Israel

Türkiye intends to formally join a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced at a news conference in Cairo.

The ICJ case was launched in December by South Africa, which accused the Jewish state of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Since then, over a dozen countries have announced their intention to join the case. The Hague court has yet to issue a final ruling, but has ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the UN Genocide Convention.

Fidan stressed that the Middle East can no longer tolerate Israel’s “provocations,” including its attacks on Lebanon and Iran, and accused the Jewish state of pursuing violence and “expansionism” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims “to set the entire region on fire.”

The minister condemned the “treacherous” assassination in Tehran last week of the Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh – who served as the Palestinian armed group’s chief negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel. 

Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of being behind the strike, although the Jewish state has refused to confirm or deny involvement.

Fidan also accused Israel’s “unconditional supporters” of undermining the international order – noting that those who have condemned Russia’s offensive against Ukraine have turned a blind eye to Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian lands.

“The West has lost all moral superiority in this region due to the Israel issue,” Fidan said, stressing that the constant lecturing of Muslim countries by the West over democracy and human rights has “long since crossed the line.”

He urged Israel’s “owners” to “hold onto its leash,” warning that the region and the world would have to pay a heavy price “if the massacre in Gaza is not stopped.”

The Jewish State launched its offensive in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 incursion into southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostage. Throughout Israel’s subsequent response, some 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza health officials.

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