There are very clear signs of concern in Israeli circles about the possibility of Tel Aviv being condemned during the deliberations of the International Court of Justice, and the harmful international repercussions that could result from it.

Yesterday, Thursday, the court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, began examining a request from South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide crimes against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Among the repercussions that Israel fears from possible conviction at the International Court of Justice are:

- Any conviction in the Court of Justice would pave the way for the trial of Israeli leaders and officials before the International Criminal Court (also in The Hague).

- Damaging its international standing.

- Creating international public opinion against it.

- Increased international boycott.

- Refrain from providing it with weapons.

- Imposing military and economic sanctions on it.

-Severing political and economic relations with it.

A pariah state

The Israel Democracy Institute (private) said on Wednesday, “The South African issue represents a major challenge to Israel, and Tel Aviv is dealing with it seriously, and investing significant legal and financial resources in the issue.”

The research institute noted, "Israel must act more forcefully against the calls made by (Israeli) public figures from time to time, which could literally be interpreted as calls for genocide."

The institute considered that "South Africa's request is part of the ongoing efforts made by the Palestinians and many countries to make Israel a pariah state."

He explained, "Losing the case could put Israel in a very problematic position on the international scene... The court has the authority to issue 'temporary measures (orders)' in urgent cases, and these measures may be somewhat vague."

An example of this is the possibility of “the court issuing an order for Israel not to commit genocide, or to immediately cease fire, or to allow unlimited entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” according to the institute.

"Israel's main focus appears to be on ensuring that the actions taken by the court are not seen as interference in the war effort in Gaza," the institute said.

It pointed out that "the court does not have a police or military force to implement its rulings, but if Israel violates the court's orders or rulings, many countries will view it from a very negative perspective, which will harm Israel's standing in the international arena, and many countries may refrain from selling weapons to it." 

Serious snowball

For its part, the newspaper "Israel Hayom" said, "The court hears the petitions before a full committee consisting of 15 judges from various countries, and the hearings continue for years, but South Africa also requested temporary measures (until the case is decided), that is, issuing an order for Israel to stop the fight immediately,” according to its report.

The newspaper believed that "the chances of success of such a request are unclear, and the court could also issue a more lenient measure ordering Israel to stop actions that expose civilians to danger, which carries the same meaning."

The newspaper pointed out that something like this “does not have a direct impact on Israel, but it may prompt some countries to cite it in the Security Council in their efforts to impose military and economic sanctions on Israel.”

It pointed out that it is also possible that "various countries and organizations will view it as confirmation that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians, and use it as an excuse to sever political and economic relations."

It also described the matter as "like a dangerous snowball," warning that "Israel's enemies will certainly exploit it in the various media and universities to create public opinion against it."

The newspaper considered that "such pressure could even affect the administration of (US President Joe Biden, who supports Tel Aviv in its aggression against Gaza) to the extent that it may restrict sales of weapons systems to Israel."

It explained that this pressure could lead "to an investigation at the International Criminal Court, which may culminate in the trial of Israeli leaders and army officers who participated in the war."

Boycott and sanctions

As for the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz", it said that the court does not have executive powers, "however, an action such as an order to stop the war immediately would prove that Israel committed genocide, which would cause it to be isolated, boycotted, and impose sanctions on it or against Israeli companies."

The newspaper added, "Informal procedures in court can affect procedures in the criminal court. If it is determined in the court of justice that Israel is committing acts that constitute genocide, the prosecutor in the criminal court can consider taking steps against senior Israeli officials for their involvement in these acts." .

Haaretz noted that if the court orders a ceasefire in Gaza, “the court’s order binds Israel from a legal standpoint, as a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

It added, "But Israel could also decide not to implement the (temporary) order or claim that the required steps are not relevant."

Haaretz stressed that in this case, "other countries will be responsible for taking their own measures against Israel, at the international level."

Since last October 7, the Israeli occupation has launched an aggression against Gaza that left more than 23,000 dead and 59,410 wounded, most of them children and women, massive destruction of infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to the Gaza Strip authorities and the United Nations.

Source: Al Jazeera + Anatolia