International court hears allegations of Gaza ‘genocide,’ swears in Aharon Barak as Israel’s representative

THE HAGUE — The International Court of Justice proceedings in The Hague get underway, with the 15 permanent judges plus two ad hoc judges from Israel and South Africa entering the courtroom in the Palace of Peace.

ICJ President Judge Joan Donoghue introduces Israel and South Africa’s designated ad hoc judges, former Israeli Supreme Court president Aharon Barak and South Africa’s former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

Donoghue swears in both ad hoc judges, and reads out the allegations made by South Africa in its application against Israel under the Genocide Convention.

A court registrar then reads out the provisional measures South Africa has requested the court to order against Israel, including ordering it to “take no steps in furtherance of its military operation” and “desist from the commission of any and all acts in under the scope of Article II of the genocide convention.”