‘Genocide’: Israel nominates ex-chief justice as representative on ICJ panel

Israel has nominated Aharon Barak, former supreme court president, to join the 15-judge panel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The panel would hear South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed Barak’s appointment on Sunday.

Beyond the permanent panel of the ICJ, both parties to a case may nominate a judge to join the deliberations.

The ICJ had fixed January 11 and 12 to hear the petition filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

According to the court, South Africa will make its case on January 11 and Israel would make hers on the 12th, with two hours planned for each side.

In the application, South Africa stated that the “acts and omissions by Israel” are “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.

In response to the suit, Lior Haiat, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, said his country “rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa in its application”.

Haiat said South Africa’s claim lacks factual and legal basis, adding that it constitutes a “despicable and contemptuous exploitation” of the court.

Barak was suggested by the international department of the state attorney’s office to hear the case and was backed by Gali Miara, attorney general, and approved by Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, Times of Israel reported.

The judgments of the ICJ are generally binding. However, the judges do not have the power to force a state to implement them.