Turkey says to apply to intervene in ICJ genocide case against Israel

2024-05-14 14:27:35

Earlier this month Fidan announced the decision to join the case launched by South Africa as Ankara stepped up measures against Israel over its assault on Gaza.

MAY 14, 2024 13:39

Updated: MAY 14, 2024 15:44

Public hearing held by ICJ to allow parties to give their views on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories before eventually issuing a non-binding legal opinion in The Hague, Netherlands, February 21, 2024. (photo credit: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW/REUTERS) — Public hearing held by ICJ to allow parties to give their views on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories before eventually issuing a non-binding legal opinion in The Hague, Netherlands, February 21, 2024.

(photo credit: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW/REUTERS)

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that Turkey decided to submit its declaration of official intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Earlier this month Fidan announced the decision to join the case launched by South Africa as Ankara stepped up measures against Israel over its assault on Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 people and launched after terrorist group Hamas' October 7 rampage.

"We condemned civilians being killed on October 7," he told a press conference with his Austrian counterpart.

"But Israel systematically killing thousands of innocent Palestinians and rendering a whole residential area uninhabitable is a crime against humanity, attempted genocide, and the manifestation of genocide," he added.

Application yet to be submitted

A foreign ministry official said Turkey had not yet submitted the formal application to the ICJ.

PEOPLE LISTEN to the proceedings inside the ICJ, in The Hague. (credit: THILO SCHMUELGEN/REUTERS)

This is a developing story.