South Africa insists Israel must face genocide charges at the ICJ despite the Gaza ceasefire

South Africa’s government has reaffirmed that the recent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip does not affect its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), insisting that accountability for alleged war crimes remains essential regardless of political developments.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said its case “seeks to prevent the recurrence of violations, not merely to pause them temporarily,” stressing that a truce cannot erase crimes committed during the conflict.

The ministry described the judicial process as a continuation of South Africa’s historical commitment to combating apartheid and defending the rights of oppressed peoples.

Pretoria filed its complaint in December 2023, accusing Israel of acts amounting to genocide against civilians in Gaza. The ICJ later ordered Israel to take steps to protect Palestinians and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

The government said it would pursue the case to its conclusion, adding that international justice “is not contingent on ceasefires or political negotiations but on holding those responsible accountable.”

The stance comes as South Africa faces mounting trade tensions with the United States. The Trump administration’s recent decision to impose a 30% tariff on key South African exports, including steel, automotive parts, and agricultural goods, has rattled one of Africa’s largest economies.

Pretoria has condemned the move as punitive, linking it to its continued criticism of U.S. foreign policy on the Middle East.

In response, South Africa has been working to diversify its trade partnerships, strengthening economic ties with China, India, and Gulf states while expanding regional trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Officials have also announced new export support programmes aimed at protecting local industries and safeguarding jobs amid the tariff shock.

The timing of the Gaza ceasefire, brokered under President Donald Trump’s administration, has not swayed Pretoria’s determination to pursue its case in The Hague. Government officials argue that while diplomatic agreements may halt fighting temporarily, they do not address the underlying violations of international law.

For South Africa, the ICJ case has become both a legal and moral statement; it is also an assertion that human rights and international justice should remain above the shifting tides of geopolitics.

Even amid economic pressure and diplomatic strain, the government appears resolute in linking its foreign policy to the principles that once defined its own struggle for freedom.