Turkey Officially Requests to Join South African Genocide Case Targeting Israel at ICJ

Latest Developments

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on August 8 that his country had formally submitted a request to join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, which accuses Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza. Hamas applauded the move shortly after Fidan’s statement. If Turkey’s application is approved, it would facilitate Turkish representatives presenting to the ICJ their interpretation of the genocide treaty provisions that are at issue in the case. “Emboldened by the impunity it has received for its crimes, Israel is killing more and more innocent Palestinians every day,” Hakan said on X. “The international community must do its part to stop the genocide and put the necessary pressure on Israel and its supporters. Turkey will make every effort on this path.”

Hamas said in an official statement following Fidan’s announcement that the move is an “affirmation of the support of [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and the brotherly Turkish people” for the Palestinian cause. Fidan originally announced Turkey’s intention to join the case on May 1. Turkey is the fifth country to submit an application to join the case after Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Libya.

Expert Analysis

“Since October 7, Erdogan has labored to craft a multi-vectored strategy to undermine Israel’s international reputation and its commitment to defeating Hamas. In doing so, Ankara has forfeited its own standing amongst its allies. Its decision to block all NATO cooperation with Israel — and even threaten it with invasion — is an example of this. The ICJ stunt is Erdogan’s attempt to feign outrage against Israel’s war against Hamas. In reality, it achieves nothing, as Turkey is the least consulted country when it comes to thinking about a post-Hamas Middle East.” — Sinan Ciddi, FDD Non-Resident Senior Fellow

“Turkey’s accusation is a perfect demonstration of how terrorists and their abettors weaponize international organizations as another front in their quest to eliminate Israel. And it is quite rich coming from the country whose actions inspired the invention of the word ‘genocide.’” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

South Africa’s Allegations Against Israel at the ICJ

South Africa submitted an application to the ICJ on December 29, alleging that Israel is violating the Genocide Convention, which defines “genocide” as one of several specified acts, including killing members of a group, when such acts are “committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such.” Israel, the United States, Canada, Germany, and others have rejected the allegations, with Israel calling the accusations a “blood libel.” Following hearings on January 11-12, the ICJ issued a provisional order on January 26 that rejected South Africa’s request to order Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. On February 16, the court also rejected South Africa’s “urgent request for additional measures” to restrict Israel’s future operations in Rafah.

Turkey’s Growing Hostility to Israel

Since shortly after Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7, Erdogan and his ruling AKP party have ratcheted up rhetoric against Israel and its leaders while praising Hamas as “freedom fighters.” In July, Erdogan threatened military action against Israel and honored former Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh after his assassination. Erdogan has compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, as well as calling him a “psychopath” and a “vampire.”

Related Analysis

“Turkey Threatens to Invade Israel,” by Sinan Ciddi and Sophia Epley

“Turkey Poised to Join South Africa’s Genocide Lawsuit Against Israel at ICJ,” FDD Flash Brief

“ICJ Rejects South Africa’s New Attack Against Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“ICJ Rejects Gaza Ceasefire Demand, Urges Hostages Released,” FDD Flash Brief