South African ambassador accuses Israel of applying "most extreme" apartheid.
A South African diplomat in the Netherlands highlighted the discriminatory practices of the Israeli regime as an even more extreme form of institutionalized apartheid.
247 - On the second day of hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, representatives from South Africa leveled scathing accusations against the Israeli government, comparing its policies to the worst aspects of South African apartheid up until 1994.
The South African ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, highlighted the discriminatory practices of the Israeli regime as an even more extreme form of institutionalized apartheid against black people in his country.
The hearings, convened at the request of the UN General Assembly, aim to examine the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967. The scope includes the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, areas that Palestinians claim for an independent state.
South Africa's request to the court is for a non-binding legal opinion declaring the Israeli occupation illegal. Madonsela emphasized her country's "special obligation" to denounce any form of segregation.
It is expected that more than 50 countries, including global powers such as the United States, Russia, and China, will participate in the hearings. Brazil will also have its say, highlighting the international nature of the debate.
While the Palestinians have also asked the court to declare the Israeli occupation illegal, Israel is not participating in the hearings, but has sent a written statement arguing against an advisory opinion.