Ramaphosa expects fightback over genocide case
The ANC expects political and economic fightback campaigns, including incitement of regime change in SA, after the government’s successful case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel over the Gaza conflict, President Cyril Ramaphosa says.
The ICJ ruling has thrust SA into the geopolitical spotlight from Israel and its allies, including the US, France and Germany.
Israel and its allies have condemned SA for approaching the court, which handed down its ruling last Friday.
“We are aware there will be systematic fightback campaigns, and I say this so that we are aware of it. There will be no doubt that these forces will do anything in their power to prevent SA from concluding their case on the merits of the matter,” Ramaphosa said in a closing address to the ANC’s two-day lekgotla on Tuesday.
“The fightback may focus on our domestic politics and our electoral outcomes in order to pursue a regime change agenda. Some people have said this was a David and Goliath contest.
“We must be aware that while we have done what we believe was driven by our conscience and principles, and while we took the matter to the courts which were set up by those who were there. We are blamed for taking the matter to the courts they have set up.”
Ramaphosa did not explicitly name any country or grouping that may stage a fightback against SA.
In a move widely viewed as retaliatory against SA, El Al Israel Airlines announced on Friday that it would suspend its route to Johannesburg at the end of March, citing a steep drop in demand after the ruling at the World Court. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had slammed the ruling as “outrageous”, adding it would continue its military action in Gaza while adhering to international law.
More than 200 members of the US Congress have asked secretary of state Antony Blinken to reject SA’s charge of genocide against Israel, calling it “deeply hostile”.
The US and SA have a strong economic and political relationship, with Washington being one of Pretoria’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign aid and investment. The US also co-operates with SA on issues such as regional stability and climate change.
The court’s decision last week noted that 25,700 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict that started in October 2023 after Hamas launched an attack on Israel.
A reported 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 240 were kidnapped by Hamas militants, resulting in Israel’s military operation in Gaza, which SA says “plausibly” involves various acts of genocide.
The court also ordered Israel “to prevent and punish” incitement to genocide, after noting statements from Israeli officials. Israel must report back to it within 30 days.
The ICJ called on Hamas and other armed groups to release Israeli hostages and expressed grave concern over the hostages’ fate.
“We need to be absolutely vigilant and resolute and so we must end by saying the path ahead is not an easy one, but we should never doubt the capacity of the ANC-led government,” Ramaphosa reiterated.
SA’s support for the Palestinians is “consistent with ANCled alliances, traditions and policy positions”, he said.
“As we reflect on this matter we must be mindful our success has exposed not only atrocities that have been carried out by the state of Israel, but it has also exposed the moral bankruptcy of those countries who by their acts of omission and commission are allowing genocide to take place in Gaza on their watch. We say this humbly without pointing fingers.”
THE FIGHTBACK MAY FOCUS ON OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS AND OUR ELECTORAL OUTCOMES IN ORDER TO PURSUE A REGIME CHANGE AGENDA
Cyril Ramphosa SA president