Pro-Palestine organisations rally behind Ramaphosa's ICJ statement
"In the intervening period, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face ongoing bombardment from Israeli strikes, with unabated loss of life, damage to critical infrastructure and precarious living conditions for people in Gaza," the presidency said.
Image: IAN LANDSBERG
South African organisations have reacted to President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that Israel has filed its response in South Africa’s genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
This response comes more than a year after Pretoria submitted its detailed arguments, following the escalation of the Gaza conflict in 2023, which led to widespread destruction across the territory.
The Presidency said that the court had initially ordered Israel to respond by July 28, 2025 to South Africa’s Memorial – which was filed on October 28, 2024 – but on two occasions Israel requested an extension to the time limits set by the court, which the court granted.
"South Africa will now consider Israel’s response and decide whether to request the Court’s permission to make further written submissions in reply, or to proceed directly to the oral phase of proceedings.
Ramaphosa said, “At a time of growing global division and the systematic undermining of the multilateral system, the United Nations in particular, the crisis in Gaza represents an opportunity to unite humanity and remind us all of our shared values.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the Palestine National soccer team game against Western Cape eleven at the Athlone Stadium in 2024
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) said that they welcomed Ramaphosa’s statement and “continued support for the ICJ case against Israel's genocide in Gaza”.
“We support a process that is both expeditious and effective in bringing an end to the genocide. It is imperative that Israel cease all acts of aggression and be held accountable for its actions in upholding its settler colonial regime.
“While we support the ICJ genocide case South Africa brought against Israel, we note that South Africa is currently the number one supplier of coal to Israel through private companies, coal that in part fuels Israel’s military operations,” SAJFP said.
Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP) previously held a silent protest outside the Cape Town Holocaust & Genocide Centre.
Image: Shakirah Thebus/Independent Newspapers/Archives
The Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA) also welcomed the statement, saying South Africa’s action before the ICJ represents a historic and principled effort to uphold international law and to protect civilians through legal and diplomatic means rather than force.
The PSA also welcomed the growing international support for South Africa’s initiative, stating that the decision by the Netherlands and Iceland to join proceedings in support of South Africa “signals a widening recognition that states have both a legal and moral obligation under the Genocide Convention to act when credible allegations of genocide arise”.
South African Zionist Federation spokesperson, Rolene Marks, said that they welcomed last week’s news of the United States formally intervening in support of Israel, and rejected South Africa’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide.
Marks said that instead of pursuing a balanced foreign policy that advances South Africa’s national interests, the government has chosen to place itself at the forefront of a highly politicised legal campaign.
“The ICJ proceedings have therefore become less about law and more about politics - an attempt to delegitimise Israel’s right to defend herself against Hamas, a terrorist organisation openly committed to Israel’s destruction.
The South African government has strongly slammed the United States for imposing sanctions on judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Image: UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek