Israel seeks US assistance for Gaza genocide claims – Axios
West Jerusalem is said to have implemented a strategy aimed at encouraging the United States to compel South Africa to withdraw its complaint to the International Court of Justice. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Israel is actively working to lobby the US Congress to influence South Africa to withdraw its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, as reported by Axios, which referenced a memo sent to diplomats.
Last December, Pretoria initiated legal proceedings against West Jerusalem, alleging that the actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza since October 7 constitute genocide.
“We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organizations to put pressure on South Africa to change its policy towards Israel and to make clear that continuing their current actions like supporting Hamas and pushing anti-Israeli moves in international courts will come with a heavy price,” stated a cable from the Israeli Foreign Ministry to the embassy in Washington and all US consulates on Monday, according to Axios.
Israeli diplomats have been directed to advocate for legislation aimed at South Africa on both state and federal levels so that “even if they won’t materialize, presenting them and talking about them will be important,” the memo added.
They are also tasked with urging members of Congress to publicly denounce South Africa’s actions and indicate that such behavior could jeopardize trade relations between the US and Pretoria. Axios noted, however, that this outcome is "unlikely," as the US is keen on preserving its relationship with South Africa to counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence.
The ICJ has set a deadline for South Africa to submit arguments concerning the case by October 28. West Jerusalem is hoping that US pressure will lead the new coalition government to abandon the case before this date, the report suggests.
Israel perceives an opportunity in the fact that the African National Congress lost its three-decade legislative majority in the elections this June and is now dependent on a coalition government. According to the cable, West Jerusalem’s diplomats will convey to the ANC the potential for pursuing dialogue with Israel “instead of boycotts and punishments.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment when contacted by Axios.
Israel's conflict with Hamas intensified following a series of attacks by the Gaza-based Palestinian group on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. Since that time, nearly 41,000 Palestinians have reportedly died and around 95,000 have been injured due to Israeli military operations, leaving much of Gaza devastated and uninhabitable.
South Africa has claimed that Israel’s actions are “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Last December, Pretoria initiated legal proceedings against West Jerusalem, alleging that the actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza since October 7 constitute genocide.
“We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organizations to put pressure on South Africa to change its policy towards Israel and to make clear that continuing their current actions like supporting Hamas and pushing anti-Israeli moves in international courts will come with a heavy price,” stated a cable from the Israeli Foreign Ministry to the embassy in Washington and all US consulates on Monday, according to Axios.
Israeli diplomats have been directed to advocate for legislation aimed at South Africa on both state and federal levels so that “even if they won’t materialize, presenting them and talking about them will be important,” the memo added.
They are also tasked with urging members of Congress to publicly denounce South Africa’s actions and indicate that such behavior could jeopardize trade relations between the US and Pretoria. Axios noted, however, that this outcome is "unlikely," as the US is keen on preserving its relationship with South Africa to counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence.
The ICJ has set a deadline for South Africa to submit arguments concerning the case by October 28. West Jerusalem is hoping that US pressure will lead the new coalition government to abandon the case before this date, the report suggests.
Israel perceives an opportunity in the fact that the African National Congress lost its three-decade legislative majority in the elections this June and is now dependent on a coalition government. According to the cable, West Jerusalem’s diplomats will convey to the ANC the potential for pursuing dialogue with Israel “instead of boycotts and punishments.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment when contacted by Axios.
Israel's conflict with Hamas intensified following a series of attacks by the Gaza-based Palestinian group on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. Since that time, nearly 41,000 Palestinians have reportedly died and around 95,000 have been injured due to Israeli military operations, leaving much of Gaza devastated and uninhabitable.
South Africa has claimed that Israel’s actions are “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
