In brief
Former South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor has urged the International Court of Justice to conduct public hearings on her country’s genocide case against Israel, demanding stronger interim measures to protect Palestinians in Gaza. Pandor also warned of ongoing personal attacks and again called on the U.S. Congress to adopt a human‑rights‑focused foreign‑policy stance.
Former South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor announced on 22 May 2029 that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should hold public hearings on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, insisting that the court make stronger interim orders to protect Palestinians in Gaza and bring international scrutiny to alleged violations of the Genocide Convention. After South Africa lodged the complaint in December 2023, while Pandor held the foreign‑minister portfolio, the ICJ has only addressed provisional measures and has yet to rule on the case’s merits.
Background on the Genocide Case
South Africa filed its dossier on 25 August 2023, alleging that Israel had failed to comply with three provisional measures orders issued by the ICJ in 2022. The court’s order required Israel to prevent acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention and to allow urgent humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. While the ICJ held hearings on these provisional measures, no decision has yet been issued on whether Israel’s conduct constitutes genocide.
Naledi Pandor said the world should have a chance to adjudicate the question of genocide through an open forum. She wants the merits of South Africa’s case heard publicly, arguing that transparency will let international scrutiny determine whether Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of genocide.
Naledi Pandor said:
Presently, the attacks consist of articles in Zionist media where I’m called all kinds of names – I’m at Hamas headquarters in South Africa, I’m a tool of Iran and so on.
The ICJ has set written‑argument deadlines, with South Africa expected to submit its conclusions by 22 November 2027 and Israel by 22 May 2029. No date for full public hearings has yet been established, leaving the case’s progress uncertain. Pandor stressed that earlier hearings could accelerate the creation of stronger protective measures for Palestinians.
In her remarks on the sidelines of the TRT World Forum, Pandor urged the court to strengthen its interim orders, demanding that Israel not only halt prohibited acts but also ensure that humanitarian assistance—a critical lifeline for Gaza’s civilians—reaches those in need without delay.
Pandor also spoke of strained ties between Pretoria and Washington, noting that relations had deteriorated under former President Donald Trump. She expressed cautious optimism about the incoming U.S. Congress, following the Democratic Party’s victories in the November 2024 elections, and called on lawmakers to adopt a foreign‑policy stance that prioritizes human rights over geopolitical interests.
By urging public hearings and demanding decisive interim measures, Pandor seeks to expose the alleged genocide to global scrutiny and to compel international action. Her impassioned appeal comes at a time when opinions on the conflict remain sharply divided, and the future of the ICJ’s role in adjudicating the Gaza crisis hangs in the balance.
