Egypt backs South Africa in opposing Israel at ICJ: summary
What we know
- Egypt declared its support for South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on May 12. The decision comes amid mounting concern over Israel's military operations in Gaza and their humanitarian impact on civilians.
- South Africa initiated legal action on Friday, urging the ICJ to compel Israel to withdraw from the border town of Rafah as part of urgent measures in an ongoing case alleging acts of genocide by Israel.
- Egypt's intervention in support of South Africa's stance highlights the strain between the two neighbouring nations, particularly as Israel's operations in Rafah challenge longstanding agreements and security cooperation.
- According to Egyptian security sources cited by Reuters, Egyptian officials communicated to Israel their attribution of strained bilateral relations and the collapse of ceasefire negotiations to Israel's actions.
- These talks, involving delegations from Hamas, Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have been held in Cairo. Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza, welcomed Egypt's support of South Africa's ICJ case.
What they said
Addressing inquiries about the 1979 treaty between Egypt and Israel against the backdrop of the Rafah operation, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasised the treaty's significance in maintaining security. Shoukry indicated that the treaty includes mechanisms to address violations, albeit without delving into specifics. "We appreciate the announcement by the sister Arab Republic of Egypt of its intention to join the lawsuit filed by the Republic of South Africa," Hamas has said in a statement. "The announcement of the intervention in this case comes in light of the expansion in scope and scale of Israeli violations against civilians in Gaza," the Egyptian foreign ministry is quoted by Reuters.
