The South African government allocated R37 million (about $2 million) to its genocide case against Israel, drawing criticism from the SA Zionist Federation (SAZF). They condemned the use of taxpayer funds and highlighted the country’s economic crises. The SAZF also criticized the government’s portrayal of the ICJ’s preliminary ruling and emphasized ongoing legal efforts against Israel.
The South African government has faced criticism from the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) regarding its decision to allocate 37 million South African Rands (approximately $2 million) for a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This funding increases the total expenditure for this initiative to R130 million (exceeding $7 million) according to local media reports.
The SAZF condemned this financial commitment, labeling it as an “appalling misuse of taxpayer funds.” The Federation pointed out that South Africa is grappling with significant social and economic challenges, including a staggering unemployment rate of 35%, which climbs to 60% among the youth, a failing healthcare system, and widespread housing shortages impacting 2.3 million households.
Furthermore, the SAZF criticized the South African government for misrepresenting the ICJ’s preliminary ruling concerning the case, which did not establish that the claim of genocide was plausible. The statement emphasized that the current administration has used this ruling to rationalize its legal pursuits against Israel while disregarding the actions of Hamas, whom they describe as the genuine perpetrators of genocide since the October 7 attacks on Israel.
South Africa has consistently pursued its legal case against Israel, having commenced proceedings in December 2023. The court later affirmed that the Palestinians had a valid claim for protection, allowing South Africa to advance its complaint. In January 2024, the ICJ ordered provisional measures against Israel. Subsequently, in October 2024, South Africa submitted a Memorial accusing Israel of violations of the Genocide Convention through actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The South African government’s allocation of funds for the ICJ case against Israel has sparked intense criticism from the SAZF. The Federation highlights the misuse of taxpayer money amid pressing domestic issues, accusing the government of misrepresenting the ICJ ruling to justify its actions. As South Africa continues to pursue its legal claim, the emphasis remains on the alleged violations of the Genocide Convention by Israel regarding Palestinian rights.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
