Hundreds in US congress condemn South Africa's genocide case against Israel

More than 200 members of US Congress have signed a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning South Africa's genocide case against Israel.

The lawmakers, totalling 210 members of the House of Representatives, described the case in their letter, dated 24 January, as unfounded and that perpetrates false allegations against Israel.

"South Africa has filed a grossly unfounded case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide and asking the court to order Israel to immediately halt its military efforts in Gaza. We write to you to express our disgust at this filing, which perpetrates false and dangerous allegations against the Jewish state," the letter, led by Republican Chris Smith of New Jersey and Democrat Kathy Manning of North Carolina, states.

The lawmakers go on to say that they share the US administration's position that Israel has the right to defend itself and quoted National Security Council spokesman John Kirby in a statement he made saying that South Africa's case against Israel is "meritless, counterproductive, and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever."

The letter continues by using strong language to describe their opposition to South Africa's case, saying, "South Africa's accusation of genocide against Israel exposes how far Israel's enemies will go in their attempts to demonize the Jewish state. While barely acknowledging the Hamas terrorists who gleefully massacred, mutilated, raped, and kidnapped innocent civilians on October 7, South Africa makes grossly unfounded and defamatory charges against Israel on the world stage..."

Most of the Democrats who have signed the letter are generally considered pro-Israel moderates, including Representative Adam Schiff, who is running in California's senate race.

Separately, one day later, on Wednesday, all but two Senate Democrats signed a measure supporting a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis. It is believed this is in response to a recent statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting two states.