Israel tells UN top court South Africa making a ‘mockery’ of charge of genocide

South Africa’s agents Cornelius Scholtz, Vusimuzi Madonsela and Israel’s deputy attorney general Gilad Naom await the start of hearings at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague this week (Peter Dejong/AP)

Israel told the United Nations’ top court on Friday that a case brought by South Africa about its military operation in Gaza “makes a mockery of the heinous charge of genocide”.

The International Court of Justice is holding a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which wants the court, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to order a ceasefire in the enclave.