Türkiye to join in ICJ Case against Israel

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced that Türkiye will join in a case brought by the Republic of South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

At a joint press conference with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Ankara on May 1, Fidan stated that the necessary documents will be submitted to the ICJ shortly.

Reiterating Türkiye’s call for action against countries supporting Israel’s actions, Fidan said “While people die from starvation in Gaza and mass graves are being uncovered in the region, what more does the international community waiting for? It is time for decisive reactions to take place.”

Ankara aims to secure a decision against Israel in the ICJ with this move.

Türkiye’s participation to the ICJ case

Türkiye had previously participated in the case among 57 countries and organizations, making a statement. 

Türkiye’s stance was presented to the ICJ on February 26 by Ahmet Yıldız, who currently serves as Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Fidan explained that the decision to intervene in the case was made after consultations with legal experts and academics, as well as during his participation in meetings of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League’s Gaza Contact Group in Riyadh on April 28-29.

During these meetings, Fidan also held discussions with representatives of Islamic countries, as well as with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, who were in Riyadh for the World Economic Forum meetings.

The Republic of South Africa had filed the case with the ICJ on December 29, alleging that Israel had violated the Genocide Convention with its actions in Gaza since October 7. The military operations initiated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following attacks by Hamas on October 7 have resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 people and injuries to twice that number.

The Turkish government has faced criticism for its delayed intervention in the case. Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has stated that Türkiye should have taken a leading role in the case.

Colombia and Nicaragua had also expressed their desire to intervene in the ICJ case, but the ICJ has not yet responded to their applications.