South Africa has taken a significant step by referring Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an investigation into alleged war crimes.
The country’s ambassador in The Hague, Vusi Madonsela, personally handed over the referral to the court, which was subsequently confirmed by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan.
This move comes after South Africa joined several other nations, including Bolivia, Venezuela, Comoros, Djibouti, and Bangladesh, in referring the situation in Gaza to the ICC.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has expressed its desire for the ICC to expedite the investigation into the crimes committed in Gaza.
“South Africa, along with like-minded State parties, submitted a joint referral of the situation in Palestine to ensure that the ICC pays urgent attention to the grave situation in Palestine,” stated the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
The department also encouraged other State parties to the Rome Statute to join or submit separate referrals independently.
The ICC Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, confirmed that his office is already working on investigations dating back years ago into crimes committed in Palestine.
The referrals made by South Africa, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Djibouti, and Comoros will be added to the list of crimes currently under investigation by the ICC.
“In receiving the referral, my office confirms that it is presently conducting an investigation into the situation in the State of Palestine,” said Khan.
He further explained that the investigation encompasses conduct that may amount to Rome Statute crimes committed since June 13, 2014, in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The investigation also extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced South Africa’s decision to refer Israel to the ICC for a war crimes investigation.
In addition, Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor has called on the ICC to investigate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top officials for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with more than 12,000 people killed since Israel began its bombardment campaign over a month ago.
South Africa’s referral to the ICC reflects its commitment to ending impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The country hopes that the ICC will prioritize the situation in Palestine and deliver justice to the victims of these grave crimes.
This joint effort by South Africa and other State parties to the Rome Statute demonstrates the international community’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for alleged war crimes. By referring Israel to the ICC, they are seeking a thorough investigation into the actions taken during the conflict in Gaza.
It remains to be seen how the ICC will proceed with the investigation and what impact it will have on the ongoing conflict. However, this referral marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the victims of war crimes in Palestine.
 for alleged war crimes in Gaza. This blog post discusses the joint){kind=link}