Israel Considers Adding Its Own Judge to the Hague in Fight Against South Africa's "Genocide" Charge

Israel is working hard on its strategy to combat South Africa's formal charges of "genocide" at the Hague, including using diplomatic levers and also possibly using its right as a defendant to add its own judge to the permanent 15-judge panel, according to a report by Ynet.

Israel intends to use diplomatic levers to fight the lawsuit, as well as argue that no state until now has argued that Israel has actually carried out a genocide in Gaza, not even South Africa itself, despite its long history of hostility to Israel.

National Security Council Director Tzahi Hanegbi said that "The decision reached is that Israel will appear at the hearing for the issuance of an interim order, aiming to fend off South Africa's claim. The legal battle may extend for several years, but Israel's immediate focus is thwarting an interim order that could force a ceasefire in Gaza," according to i24 News.