Spain Joins South Africa’s ICJ Lawsuit Against Israel

By Yoni Weiss

Spain officially requested on Monday to join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The suit alleges that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza during its war against the Hamas terror group.

Last month, Spain’s government announced its intention to join the suit, pending the court’s approval. While Spain’s request has been approved, similar requests from Libya and Mexico are still awaiting approval. The Palestinian Authority has also requested to join the suit but has not yet received a response.

Announcing the decision earlier this year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain is “committed to peace, prosperity, and international legality.” He added, “Given the failure of the Israeli government to comply with the request of the International Court of Justice to stop the war, and in support of respect for international law and the United Nations, we intervene in the procedure initiated by South Africa.”

Sanchez claimed that by taking this step, “Spain is going to stay on the right side of history.”