Spain decides to join Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Spain has become the first European country to formally request permission from the United Nations court to join the genocide case against Israel, its foreign minister confirmed on Thursday.

The case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was filed by South Africa, alleging that Israel has violated the Genocide Convention and inflicted irreparable damage to infrastructure and human lives in the Gaza Strip.

Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Libya, and the Palestinians have already requested to join the case currently under progress at the court in The Hague, Netherlands.

Though initial court proceedings have been completed, but a final verdict could take years.

“We want peace to return to Gaza and the Middle East, and for that to happen we must all support the court,” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said in Madrid.

Spain, along with two other Western European states, Ireland and Norway, formally recognised Palestine in an effort to increase pressure on Israel, with Slovenia being the latest European country to recognise the state of Palestine.

Israel strongly condemned these actions and threatened to close the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem.

The ICJ had ordered Israel on May 25 to halt its military offensive in the southern city of Rafah.

However, disregarding any pressure or warnings, Israel continues to launch deadly assaults on innocent civilians across Gaza.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) had also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials, as well as for Hamas leaders.

In response, the US House of Representatives approved a bill to sanction ICC officials for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials.