Lawyer in Gaza case at Hague presents ‘genocidal rhetoric’ of Netanyahu, Gallant, Ben Gvir

THE HAGUE — Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC takes to the podium to present South Africa’s allegations that the “destruction of Palestinian life in all its manifestations” is a result of “genocidal rhetoric” by senior Israeli officials, which has been reflected in the actions and rhetoric of IDF soldiers on the ground in Gaza.

He cites comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referencing on more than one occasion, when discussing the war in Gaza, the biblical injunction for the Jewish people to “remember what Amalek did to you.” The Bible recounts that King Saul was commanded to destroy all men women, and children of the Amalekite people, Ngcukaitobi observes.

He also cites comments by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant describing Palestinians as “human animals” as well as comments by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir saying that those who supported and celebrated the October 7 atrocities should also be targeted in the IDF operation in Gaza.

Ngcukaitobi also plays video footage of IDF soldiers dancing and singing in Gaza, saying they would fulfill the Biblical commandment of destroying Amalek and singing “there are no innocents in Gaza.”

“Genocidal utterances aren’t out in the fringes, they are embodied in state policy. The intent to destroy is understood by soldiers on the ground,” alleges Ngcukaitobi.

“Any suggestion that Israeli officials did not mean what they said, or were misunderstood by soldiers on the ground, should be rejected by this court,” he says.

חדר העיתונאים בהאג צופה בסרטון שמוקרן לשופטים שבו חיילים שרים למחות את זרע עמלק -ואין בלתי מעורבים. pic.twitter.com/BmenbEeeGP

— נדב איל Nadav Eyal (@Nadav_Eyal) January 11, 2024