THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S GENOCIDE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL AT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

The genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) stems from concerns over the escalation of violence in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which allegedly involved serious violations of the Genocide Convention as a jus cogens norm. This study aims to analyze the legal and political significance of the lawsuit, including its implications for Israel's international responsibility and the global response to its military operations. The methods used include a descriptive legal approach to describe the application of international legal norms in practice, as well as a normative approach to assess the legal obligations that should be complied with under the Genocide Convention. The two approaches are combined through case study analysis and comparison with the practices of other countries. The results of the study show that Israel's actions potentially fulfill the elements of genocide and that the ICJ's Provisional Measures have had a major political impact, as evidenced by Israel's increasing international isolation and the suspension of military aid by a number of countries. In conclusion, this case is not only important in upholding international law, but also plays a strategic role in encouraging Israel's compliance with humanitarian law and strengthening global accountability mechanisms.