Germany Withdraws Support for Israel in ICJ Genocide Case

Focus Shifts to Nicaragua Legal Proceedings

The German government has withdrawn its support for Israel in its defense against the genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), officials confirmed on Sunday.

Josef Hinterseher, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, told private broadcaster n-tv that Germany decided against intervening in Israel’s case because the country is now involved in its own legal proceedings before the ICJ. Germany intends to concentrate on the lawsuit filed by Nicaragua in spring 2024.

Background on ICJ Cases

South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel in December 2023, accusing the country of committing acts aimed at exterminating Palestinians in Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military offensive that followed on October 8, 2023, reportedly killed over 72,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others.

In January 2024, Germany rejected South Africa’s claims, describing them as politically motivated misuse of the 1948 Genocide Convention. At that time, Berlin had planned to file an intervention on Israel’s behalf.

However, in March 2024, Nicaragua lodged a complaint against Germany at the ICJ, alleging that Berlin was aiding and abetting genocide against Palestinians by supplying weapons to Israel. The Foreign Ministry firmly rejected Nicaragua’s allegations and stated that Germany awaits the court’s decision before commenting further.

International Responses

While Germany has stepped back, the United States continues to defend Israel in the ICJ case. More than a dozen countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland, have filed interventions, though their positions differ from the US approach.

Hinterseher emphasized that Germany is addressing all allegations through legal channels and will await the ICJ’s rulings before taking additional actions.
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