Stakes high as South Africa brings claim of genocidal intent against Israel

Mourners attend the funeral of Saleh Arouri, one of the top Hamas commanders, who was killed in an apparent Israeli strike Tuesday, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

South Africa’s request for an interim measure by the international court of justice to prevent Israel from committing acts of potential genocide – primarily by calling for a halt to combat operations – has suddenly taken on an urgency and relevance that seemed implausible a fortnight ago.

Crack legal teams are being assembled, countries are issuing statements in support of South Africa, and Israel has said it will defend itself in court, reversing a decades-old policy of boycotting the UN’s top court and its 15 elected judges.