South Africa refers Israel to ICC over Gaza attacks as pressure mounts to cut diplomatic ties

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

South Africa refers Israel to ICC over Gaza attacks as pressure mounts to cut diplomatic ties

BY MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Updated 6:18 AM EST, November 16, 2023

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

The move comes as South African lawmakers were expected to debate a motion on Thursday calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the cutting of all diplomatic ties with the country until it agrees to a cease-fire.

Ramaphosa said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and hospitals and public infrastructure have been destroyed.

“As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court,” Ramaphosa said Wednesday during a state visit to Qatar.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-israel-palestinians-icc-referral-6f1dd2b3af534d4d42d56a156968eae4

[Goddessartist]

1. Good!

[Eugene]

2. Five nations seek war crimes probe in Palestinian territories

Source: Reuters

Five nations seek war crimes probe in Palestinian territories

Reuters
Fri, November 17, 2023 at 1:32 PM EST·1 min read

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Friday said he had received a joint request from five countries to investigate the situation in the Palestinian territories.

Prosecutor Karim Kahn said the referral had come from South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti. South Africa said the request was made "to ensure that the ICC pays urgent attention to the grave situation in Palestine."

The ICC already has an ongoing investigation into "the situation in the State of Palestine" for alleged war crimes committed since June 13, 2014.

Last month ,Kahn said that his office had jurisdiction both over Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and any crimes committed as part of Israel's response including bombings in the Gaza Strip.

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Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/five-nations-seek-war-crimes-183240157.html