In the next segment of its presentation in The Hague, South Africa is presenting what it describes as evidence of the genocidal intent of the Israeli authorities.
In doing so it has quoted directly several Israeli leaders, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli president Isaac Herzog.
It referenced Netanyahu citing the biblical story of the Amalek people, and this language being echoed by troops on the ground.
It cited Gallant’s comment that Israel was fighting “human animals”, and that there would be “no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel” in Gaza. It quoted him telling troops that there were no restraints and that “we will eliminate everything, we will reach all places.”
South Africa’s legal team said “the language of systematic dehumanisation is evident here. Human animals. Both Hamas and civilians are condemned within the Israeli cabinet.”
It also cited the a deputy speaker of the Knesset calling for the erasure of the Gaza Strip from the face of the earth, arguing that even if they were not a member of the government, they were a lawmaker whose votes in the Knesset shaped the policies of the Israeli state.
A video clip was shown of Israeli soldiers dancing and singing about the destruction of Gaza during the operation inside the territory.
webtv.un.org
