During the second day of the International Court of Justice hearing in The Hague on South Africa's claim against Israel, Israeli representatives firmly rejected accusations of "genocide," denouncing South Africa's arguments as "a monstrously distorted history."
South Africa had previously urged the judges to order Israel to immediately cease military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's representative at the International Court of Justice, Tal Becker, reminded attendees that Israel, in the aftermath of the Holocaust, promptly signed the convention against genocide, established to prevent atrocities like the Holocaust.
Becker emphasized that some are willing to support the "never again" slogan only if it is not associated with Israel.
In defense, Becker asserted, "Israel has had to defend itself before the court—and in the war imposed on it by Hamas and Islamic Jihad."
He acknowledged the unfortunate civilian suffering in the conflict but stressed that South Africa has systematically denied Israel's right to exist for 75 years.
Becker highlighted the acts of torture, rape, and killing of Israelis by Hamas militants on Black Saturday, October 7, solely because they were Jews, qualifying it as genocide.
He referred to South Africa as a mouthpiece for the terrorist organization Hamas.
In front of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, two opposing demonstrations took place: a pro-Palestinian rally calling for Israel's punishment and a demonstration supporting Israel.
Participants in the pro-Israel rally set up an empty table with portraits of individuals abducted by Hamas on chairs—a symbolic gesture in Israel's ongoing struggle for the return of captured citizens.
