Prominent Celebrities Support South Africa's Genocide Claims against Israel at ICJ
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A group of well-known figures from the film and television industry have expressed their backing for South Africa's charge of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.
More than two dozen actors – including Susan Sarandon, Cynthia Nixon, Charles Dance, Carice van Houten, and Lena Headey– have contributed to a series of videos created by the UK-based Palestine Festival of Literature, according to RT.
Released online on Friday, the videos aim to support the fight against colonialism in the 21st century, featuring the actors reading from South Africa's 84-page allegation against Israel.
The charge accuses the Zionist regime of Israel of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide through its aerial and ground bombardment of Gaza following Hamas' attack on October 7.
Liam Cunningham, an Irish actor known for his role in 'Game of Thrones,' emphasizes in the video that South Africa distinguishes acts of genocide from other violations of international law committed by Israel in Gaza. This includes intentionally directing attacks at the civilian population, civilian objects, and various structures.
The charge contends that Israeli leaders expressed their genocidal intent in public statements, citing Yoav Gallant, the Israeli minister, who referred to facing threats from "human animals" in Gaza during Israel's military offensive.
Israel denies the genocide claims, with its UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, claiming in New York that the United Nations has reached a "new moral low" by considering South Africa's claim. Israel presented its defense a day after South Africa presented its case to the ICJ.
While the legal proceedings might extend over years, the ICJ could make decisions in the coming weeks on temporary measures, including a ceasefire. Notably, the ICJ's rulings are legally binding, although the court has limited means to enforce its judgments.