UN court to deliver verdict on alleged German role in 'Palestinian genocide'

The International Court of Justice in The Hague is set to deliver a verdict on April 30 in Nicaragua's lawsuit against Germany, accusing Germany of involvement in the "genocide of the Palestinians." The lawsuit demands that Germany cease all military and other cooperation with Israel.

The court heard arguments from both sides in early April. "This concerns the lives and well-being of thousands of people, this is the destruction of an entire people. Germany does not fulfill its obligations to prevent genocide and ensure international law," said Nicaraguan Ambassador to the Netherlands Carlos José Arguello Gomez, who leads the Nicaraguan delegation.

"If Israel continues to act with the same permissiveness with which it has acted since the founding of the state, with the help of states like Germany, future generations of Palestinians will rise up against this," the diplomat added, dispelling doubts that they are trying to put the Jewish state on trial.

Representatives of Germany expressed confidence that the lawsuit would collapse. "The reason why Israel’s security is a key factor in our foreign policy is our history. Germany supports Israel, but Nicaragua’s claim greatly exaggerates the extent of our assistance," said Tania Freiin von Uslar-Gleichen, a member of the German delegation.

"The information about supplying artillery shells and other ammunition is completely disconnected from reality. Despite challenging conditions, Germany continues to provide humanitarian aid to the residents of the sector. We cannot be accused of abandoning the Palestinians," added another German representative, Christian Tams.