REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The trial of alleged genocide committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, has taken place at the International Court of Justice. A number of Muslim-majority countries supported the hearing of the lawsuit filed by South Africa (Afsel) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa formally filed the lawsuit on December 29, 2023. Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan, the OIC countries and the Arab League are among a number of countries and international organizations that support Afsel's move.
In Indonesia, Muhammadiyah is one of the largest Islamic organizations that also supports Afsel. According to the secretary-general of Muhammadiyah, Abdul Mu'ti, what the Israeli army is doing in the Gaza Strip is not only war but genocide.
“(Muhamamdiyah) Appreciates the attitude and steps of the South African government that brought the issue of genocide committed by Netanyahu to the International Crime Justice (IJC),” Abdul Mu'ti told Republika on Monday (15/1/2024).
“What the Netanyahu government is doing now is not only a war crime, it is a systematic and massive genocide of the Palestinians. It is a humanitarian crime that can also be brought to Amnesty International,” he added.
According to Mu'ti, the support of Malaysia and Turkey could strengthen the efforts of the world community to drag Netanyahu to the War Crimes Tribunal. The moral and political support of Muslim countries, he said, was so important that after Turkey and Malaysia, other Muslim-majority countries should follow.
“I am informed that Indonesia has also made a statement of support for South Africa's stance and steps. But, the statement must be followed by concrete steps through political and diplomatic steps at the global level,” Abdul Mu'ti said.
The first genocide trial at the ICJ began on Thursday (11/1/2024). On the first day of the hearing, South Africa asked the ICJ to issue an injunction ordering Israel to halt attacks in Gaza.
On the second day of the hearing, Friday (12/1/2024), Israel asked the ICJ to reject Afsel's lawsuit, as it was considered defamation.
With so many casualties, 23,000 people, most of whom are Palestinian civil society, still claim that the attacks were a form of self-defense. If there is genocide, it is precisely Israel that is the victim.
At the moment, the world community is still waiting for news of the announcement that the ICJ will issue.
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