Cyprus stays neutral on South Africa's genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Cyprus remains impartial and refrains from making anticipatory interpretations concerning the legal outcomes of war conflict cases brought before international judicial bodies, stated Theodoros Gotsis, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman.

In response to queries about South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Gotsis clarified that Cyprus, in line with general state practices, avoids pre-judging or preemptively interpreting such legal aspects. He emphasized that the verdict on such matters falls solely within the jurisdiction of the ICJ.

Gotsis affirmed Cyprus' approach of evaluating each case based on its unique circumstances and participating sparingly, guided by criteria of vital national interest. He underscored that any contrary interpretation contradicts Cyprus' consistent policy, citing the country's non-intervention in a similar case involving Gambia v. Myanmar.

In the South Africa v. Israel case, filed in December, South Africa accuses Israel of genocide in the Gaza conflict, seeking intervention to halt the military assault that has resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 Palestinians, including nearly 10,000 children.

[Information from CNA]