Israel lobbying US Congress to press South Africa to drop ICJ genocide case

Israeli diplomats have been directed to persuade members of the U.S. Congress to pressure South Africa into abandoning its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa is pushing for the ICJ to label Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide against Palestinians.

A diplomatic cable from Israel’s foreign ministry to its embassy in Washington and U.S. consulates outlined these instructions.

According to Axios, which first reported on the cable, Israeli diplomats are being asked to encourage U.S. lawmakers to issue statements warning that South Africa’s ICJ case could lead to a halt in U.S.-South Africa trade, although this outcome is unlikely.

“We urge you to immediately engage with lawmakers on both federal and state levels, governors, and Jewish organizations, to pressure South Africa into reconsidering its stance on Israel. It should be made clear that continuing actions like supporting Hamas and promoting anti-Israel measures in international courts will have serious consequences,” stated the cable from Israel’s foreign ministry to its U.S. embassy and consulates.

The diplomats were also told to reach out to South African diplomats in the U.S., warning that South Africa would face significant repercussions if its policy towards Israel does not change.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa initiated a significant legal battle by filing its petition at the ICJ. This move came nearly three months after Israel began its offensive in Gaza, following Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people.

Since the conflict began, Israel has killed at least 40,988 Palestinians in Gaza, as per the Palestinian health ministry. However, a report by the Lancet medical journal suggests the actual toll could be as high as 186,000.

South Africa’s submission calls on the ICJ to examine whether Israel’s actions amount to genocide, citing attacks on schools, residential areas, hospitals, mosques, and United Nations shelters. The filing argues that Israel’s actions are genocidal, aiming to destroy a significant portion of the Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic group.

Israel has strongly dismissed the claim, labeling it as “blood libel,” a term referring to medieval antisemitic myths accusing Jews of ritual murder.

Since South Africa’s filing, countries such as Turkey and Mexico have joined the case, leading to further legal actions. Nicaragua has even taken Germany to the ICJ, accusing it of contributing to genocide in Gaza.

The ICJ has yet to issue a ruling on the genocide claims, but it previously ordered Israel to take steps to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza and halt its invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza.

The court is expected to start discussing the genocide accusations in the coming months. It has given South Africa until October 28 to present its written arguments, and Israel until July 28, 2025, to submit its own.

Axios also reported that Israeli diplomats were instructed to push for anti-South African legislation at both state and federal levels in the U.S. The foreign ministry noted that even if these legislative efforts do not succeed, simply discussing them would help sway South Africa’s policies.

Diplomats were further encouraged to advocate for hearings in U.S. state legislatures regarding South Africa’s stance towards Israel.