President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government are closely monitoring developments regarding the potential issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his senior officials.
It has surfaced that the ICC may consider issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and senior officials in Tel Aviv in connection with the war in Gaza.
The conflict has resulted in the loss of over 34,000 lives, including women and children. Reports suggest that the ICC may act on these warrants within the week.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, stated on Monday that they are keeping a vigilant eye on the situation in the Middle East and that the ICC is actively involved. He stressed that no individual is above the law and emphasized the importance of all countries adhering to international law and being held accountable.
Regarding the potential arrest warrants, Magwenya stated, “With respect to a warrant of arrest that may be issued, we will follow those developments as they progress. What interventions are made by institutions set up to safeguard international law, to protect the lives of citizens, we will applaud those measures as and when they are taken.”
He highlighted South Africa’s ongoing case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. South Africa brought Tel Aviv to The Hague last December, seeking provisional measures to provide humanitarian aid and protect civilians from attacks.
Magwenya noted that the matter before the ICJ is proceeding, with dates provided for the hearing of the case. He emphasized that South Africa continues to exert pressure, alongside the court process, on Israel and its allies to work towards a permanent ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid, and create a conducive environment for further negotiations leading to Palestinian self-governance and peace in the region.
South Africa advocates for dialogue as the only solution and urges all parties to engage in efforts to end the conflict. This message has been consistently communicated since the onset of the war late last year.