“With Genocide Case Against Israel, South Africa Challenges Western-led Order
After arguing its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, South Africa won praise for standing up for Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
By John Eligon
Reporting from Mbombela, South Africa
Jan. 12, 2024
After arguing its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, South Africa won praise among pro-Palestinian activists globally for standing up against Israel’s war in Gaza and what many saw as the interests of Western countries.
At home, where satisfaction with the government is low, many South Africans applauded their leaders for taking a stand. Gatherings were organized to watch the court hearing, Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags in the streets.
Some South Africans saw the case as an example of hypocrisy by the governing African National Congress party, which they said had failed to call out atrocities by other nations. But leaders of the A.N.C. — which led South Africa’s struggle against apartheid rule — have compared life under blockade in Gaza to apartheid, and say they are uniquely positioned to understand the Palestinian experience.
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- Full report on the New York Times website (checked in January 2024)