ICJ ruling on Israel once again highlights ANC’ double standards

26 January 2024  

Today's ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on South Africa's application that Israel immediately cease its military action in Gaza once again highlights the ANC government's double standards.

It inevitably also raises the question of why government spent so much money on this case while 76 people are murdered in South Africa every day.

South Africa has the greatest income inequality in the world and a third of its population is unemployed. This causes serious suffering for millions of people in the country.

The ICJ's ruling has made it clear that Israel is not committing Palestinian genocide in Gaza.

One of the interim steps announced by the ICJ is that Israel needs to ensure it does not commit genocide.

Government should have used the money it spent on this case on addressing issues in South Africa instead, seeing as the country is experiencing a major financial crisis.

There are many, more affluent countries that share the ANC government's sentiments, which raises the question of why one of them did not bring the matter before the ICJ.

The ANC is clearly only exploiting the situation to divert attention away from the dire circumstances in its own country in order to benefit a certain part of the population.

In the process, the safety of all South Africans, the terrible living conditions of millions and the sky-high murder rate are all conveniently overlooked.

The FF Plus will pose parliamentary questions to determine exactly how much this case cost South African taxpayers.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 26 January 2024