A view of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday (June 26, 2024).
| Photo Credit: AP

Bolivia has joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that alleges the Israeli Gaza offensive breaches the U.N. Genocide Convention, the court said on Wednesday (October 9, 2024).

The South American country is the latest of several nations, including Colombia, Libya, Spain and Mexico, to add their weight to the case against Israel, which vehemently denies the accusations.

Bolivia already announced in November it was severing diplomatic ties over what it described as the “disproportionate” attacks on Gaza by Israel. At the time, Israel slammed the move as “a surrender to terrorism”.

In a January 26 ruling that made headlines around the world, the ICJ told Israel to do everything possible to prevent acts of genocide during its military operations in Gaza.

The court has also ordered Israel to ensure “unimpeded access” to U.N.-mandated investigators to look into allegations of genocide.

South Africa has returned several times to the ICJ, arguing that the dire humanitarian situation in the territory compels the court to issue further fresh emergency measures.

In its submission to the court made public on Wednesday (October 9, 2024), Bolivia argued: “Israel’s genocidal war continues, and the Court’s orders remain dead letters to Israel.” While ICJ rulings are legally binding, the court has no concrete means to enforce them.

Also Read: ICJ orders Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza

In a separate ruling in July, the ICJ issued an “advisory opinion” that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory was “unlawful” and should end as soon as possible.

Israel’s Gaza campaign has killed at least 42,010 people, the majority of them civilians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The U.N. has described the figures as reliable.

The offensive was prompted by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack which resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures that include hostages killed in captivity.

Israel has intensified strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon since September 23, leaving more than 1,150 people dead, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

 Geert Wilders and three other party leaders agreed on a coalition deal early on May 16. File
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders and three other party leaders agreed on a coalition deal early on May 16 that veers the Netherlands toward the hard right, capping a half year of tumultuous negotiations that still left it unclear who will become Prime Minister.

The “Hope, courage and pride” agreement introduces strict measures on asylum seekers, scraps family reunification for refugees and seeks to reduce the number of international students studying in the country.

“Deport people without a valid residence permit as much as possible, even forcibly,” the 26-page document says.

Mr. Wilders cried victory on what he called “a historic day,” claiming he had made sure the three other coalition parties, including the one of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, had accepted the core of his programme.

“The strictest asylum policy ever,” Mr. Wilders exulted. “The Dutch back at No.1,” he added, insisting his campaign theme how immigrants and asylum seekers had all too often been granted preferential treatment over others.

With hard right and populist parties now part of or leading a half dozen Governments in the 27-nation bloc, they appear positioned to make gains in the June 6-9 election for the European Parliament.

Mr. Wilders had already reluctantly acknowledged that he will not succeed Rutte at the country’s helm. The parties still have to agree on a Prime Minister, who is expected to be a technocrat from outside the party structures.

Speculation has centered on Mr. Ronald Plasterk, from the Labor Party, who shot back to prominence this year when he became the first “scout” to hold talks with political leaders about possible coalitions.

The deal said the next Government will continue with existing plans to combat climate change, including continuing to pay for a climate change fund established last year. But the Farmers Citizens Movement is part of the coalition and the deal includes soothing language and concessions to farmers that have blocked cities with tractors during disruptive protests.

Other points in the agreement include increasing social housing, stricter sentences for serious crimes and capping property taxes.

The group intends to continue supporting Ukraine and wants to enshrine the NATO requirement to 2% of gross domestic product on defense into law.

The parties will explain the program to parliament on May 16, though a debate will not be held on the agreement until next week.