Pakistan has thrown its weight behind South Africa’s application filed before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the 1951 Genocide Convention in relation to the Palestinian people in Gaza. The announcement was made by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zarhra Baloch during her weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Baloch emphasized the timeliness and importance of South Africa’s legal action, describing it as a crucial step toward holding Israel accountable for what she referred to as “well-documented atrocities” unleashed against the Palestinian people since October 7, 2023. The spokesperson minced no words in condemning Israel’s actions as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and, notably, a genocidal act.
“We consider this legal action timely and an important step towards holding Israel to account for its well-documented atrocities unleashed against Palestinian people since 7th October 2023,” she remarked.
Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s alignment with the concerns raised by South Africa, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, an end to Israel’s ongoing aggression, the lifting of the inhumane siege, and the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
“Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State along the pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital,” she added.
The filing by South Africa at the ICJ accuses Israel of engaging in “genocidal acts” in Gaza, seeking an order from the court to halt the Israeli government’s attacks. Baloch concluded the press briefing by reiterating Pakistan’s call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis. Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to a just solution for the Palestinian people, advocating for the establishment of an independent, viable, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
