Genocide Accusation: Pretoria Plays for Time

*This article was originally published in French

Excerpt

There are trials whose verdict matters little- far less than the act of dragging them out.

Since January 2024, South Africa has accused Israel of “genocide” before the International Court of Justice. This ongoing case keeps the accusation alive in public debate. Yet more than two years later, this UN tribunal has issued no ruling on the merits. This week, Pretoria even secured a further extension to respond to the counter-memorial submitted by Israel. Thanks to this delaying tactic, the case is unlikely to be tried before the end of the decade—surprising, if one truly believes a genocide is underway.

For two years, South Africa relentlessly insisted that every day counted. When Israel requested time to prepare its defense, Pretoria fiercely objected, arguing that any delay was irreconcilable with the urgency of such a tragedy. Then, this past March, Israel filed its counter-memorial—on time. And suddenly, the urgency vanished. South Africa asked for time. A great deal of time. More than twenty months. And the Court agreed.

Simone Rodan-Benzaquen is senior envoy for Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).