Skip to main content
Live Blog Update| Israel's genocide in Gaza

Turkey backs South Africa 'genocide' case against Israel at ICJ

Turkey has officially backed South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses the state of genocide in its ongoing war on Gaza.

Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said in a statement that Ankara welcomes the South African case, which says Israel has violated its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

“Israel's murder of more than 22,000 Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom were women and children, in Gaza for nearly three months should not go unpunished in any way," Keceli said.

"Those responsible for this must be held accountable before international law,” he continued, adding: “We hope that the process will be completed as soon as possible.”

Read more: Turkey backs South Africa 'genocide' case against Israel at ICJ

istanbul protest gaza
Thousands demonstrate to show solidarity with the Palestinian people at the Galata Bridge in Istanbul on 1 January (AFP/Yasin Akgul)