In brief
Former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor demanded that the International Court of Justice hold public hearings on its case against Israel and impose stronger interim measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza. She reiterated the case’s filing in December 2023 and the lack of a ruling on Israel’s alleged genocide. Pandor also warned of continued personal attacks and urged U.S. Congress to support a human‑rights‑focused foreign policy.
Former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on Tuesday urged the International Court of Justice to hold public hearings in its genocide case against Israel and to strengthen interim measures aimed at protecting Palestinians in Gaza.
Confirmed: South Africa filed the case on 22 December 2023 while Pandor was foreign minister. The ICJ has yet to deliver a ruling on Israel’s alleged breach of the Genocide Convention, having only held hearings on provisional measures. Written submissions are due from South Africa by 22 November 2027 and from Israel by 22 May 2029.
"We would like to have the case heard so that the world can adjudicate whether our contention that genocide is underway will be held up by legal scrutiny," Pandor said at the sidelines of the TRT World Forum in Ankara.
Naledi Pandor also said she continues to face personal attacks in media critical of her stance, describing the insults as "the last refuge of a scoundrel." She pleaded for the International Court to adopt stronger interim orders to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and to prevent further violations of the Genocide Convention.
Unconfirmed: While Pandor requested U.S. Congress to back a human‑rights‑focused foreign policy, no official statement from Washington has yet confirmed such a shift. The date for any public ICJ hearing remains unset, and it is unclear whether the court will accept her request to open the proceedings.
