Israel asks US Congress to pressure South Africa to drop genocide case

Israel is exerting pressure on the US Congress to in turn pressure South Africa to drop its genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Axios has learned, after obtaining an Israeli foreign ministry cable.

South Africa resorted to the ICJ in late December accusing Israel of genocide in its brutal war on Gaza, soon to be a year-long. The ICJ, also known as the World Court, in January ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the 1948 Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians.

Israel has ignored these orders, killing so far over 41,000 people since 7 October, most of them civilians.

South Africa has until 28 October to give the top UN court its arguments for continuing the genocide case, prompting Israel to try and pressure Washington to have the case scrapped.

According Axios, Israeli officials want Congress to make it clear to the African nation "that there will be consequences for continuing to pursue the case".

The US has shown unwavering support for Israel throughout its relentless campaign on Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry reportedly sent the classified cable to Israel’s embassy in Washington and to all Israeli consulates in the US.

"We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organisations 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," the cable read, as shared by Axios.

Many countries have joined South Africa’s ICJ genocide case, piling more pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government.

As well as the ICJ case, the International Criminal Court in May said it would seek arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Palestinian territories.

Arrest warrants, the ICC said, would also be sought for Hamas figures for crimes in Israel, referring to the 7 October attack.