Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized the recent decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that favored South Africa's genocide claim against Israel. In his remarks on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Netanyahu went further, describing members of the Hamas group as "modern-day Nazis." The Israeli leader also took a symbolic approach, showcasing an Arabic-language copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf during his speech.
Netanyahu expressed his dissatisfaction with the ICJ's decision, particularly emphasizing his dismay over what he considered the court's willingness to entertain what he viewed as a baseless claim. He stated that the fact that the court did not dismiss the claim outright reflected, in his opinion, a failure of many in the world to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust.
The ICJ ruling, which came in response to a case initiated by South Africa, directed Israel to take specific actions to prevent acts of genocide. However, the court fell short of immediately demanding a ceasefire. Fifteen out of seventeen judges on the ICJ panel voted in favor of emergency measures, addressing several aspects of South Africa's request. Notably absent from the ruling was an explicit order to halt Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The Israeli military operation in Gaza has faced international scrutiny, accused of causing extensive damage to the densely populated area and resulting in a significant number of Palestinian casualties, as reported by Gaza health authorities. The ICJ's decision and Netanyahu's strong reaction have added to the complex and contentious dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
