Blinken speaks with South African FM before ICJ rules in genocide case against Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a phone call with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, before the International Court of Justice rules on whether or not to order emergency measures against Israel in its war against Hamas.

Friday’s ruling by The Hague-based court, which Pandor is slated to be in attendance for, is in response to South Africa’s charge that Israel is committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. Among the measures South Africa requested is an immediate halt to Israel’s military operation against Hamas, launched in response to the Gaza-ruling terror group’s shock October 7 onslaught.

A readout from the State Department says that during their phone call Thursday, Blinken and Pandor discussed “the conflict in Gaza, including the need to protect civilian lives, ensure sustained humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and work towards lasting regional peace that ensures Israel’s security and advances the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

“The secretary reaffirmed support for Israel’s right to ensure the terrorist attacks of October 7 can never be repeated,” it adds.

The statement noticeably does not mention South Africa’s ICJ case, which Blinken has previously called “meritless.” Speaking to reporters earlier Thursday during a tour of Africa that does not include a stop in South Africa, he said “those views stand,” while stressing Washington’s relations with Pretoria would not suffer.

“Of course our relationship with South Africa is vitally important and it is a very broad and deep relationship covering many, many issues,” Blinken said.

“When we have a disagreement on one particular matter, it doesn’t take away from the important work that we are doing together,” he added.