Flash Points: What South Africa really won at the ICJ

Inside the case, and its global implications. FEBRUARY 4, 2024  |  [VIEW IN BROWSER](     Sponsored by [Augusta University]( [People raise flags as they gather around a statue of late South African President Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Jan. 10. ]( People raise flags as they gather around a statue of late South African President Nelson Mandela to celebrate a landmark case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Jan. 10. Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images In bringing a genocide case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa has dared, as FP’s Sasha Polakow-Suransky [writes](, “to take on a radioactive global issue, discussion of which is virtually verboten in Washington.” Although the court’s ruling on genocide could take years, it has already ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. But in some ways, Polakow-Suransky argues, the outcome is less important than Pretoria’s decision to launch the case, which has “made it acceptable to accuse Israel of grave crimes in a major formal international setting.” This edition of Flash Points examines the case and its global implications, from its potential impact on the war in Gaza to what it might mean for Washington’s global leadership.—Chloe Hadavas   [1]( [What South Africa Really Won at the ICJ]( For much of the world, Pretoria has restored its reputation as a moral beacon—at America’s expense. By Sasha Polakow-Suransky   [2]( [South Africa’s ICJ Case Was Too Narrow]( By omitting Hamas and limiting its case to the crime of genocide, Pretoria lost an opportunity to halt the fighting. By Chile Eboe-Osuji   [3]( [China’s Problem With the Genocide Case Against Israel]( Beijing backs the Palestinians in Gaza but faces its own genocide accusations at home. By Aaron Glasserman   [4]( [Algeria Seeks U.N. Action Following ICJ Decision on Gaza]( After the court ordered Israel to take provisional measures to prevent genocide, some countries are seeking to enforce the ruling. By Nosmot Gbadamosi   [5]( [What Does Latin America Think About the Israel-Hamas War?]( Many countries are spurning Israel. But the region’s Middle East stance has always been nuanced. By Patricia Garip Sponsored [MAISS is the Place for you!]( The program seeks to expose military members, future decision makers and analysts, and traditional students to the security challenges inherent in a rapidly changing world. Our program has a special emphasis on strategic cybersecurity and information warfare, intelligence analysis, causes and effects of conflict, terrorism and counterterrorism strategies, and security issues that affect national, regional, and global security. [Start here](   [Subscribe to Foreign Policy]( [Save up to 50%]( [Choosing an annual plan for your FP subscription allows you to save up to 50%. For nuanced perspectives and insightful geopolitical analysis, subscribe today.]( [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( You’re receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you signed up for FP's Flash Points newsletter. [MANAGE YOUR EMAIL PREFERENCES]( | [VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Interested in partnering with FP on events, podcasts, or research? [Explore FP Solutions](. [Foreign Policy]( is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2023 Graham Digital Holding Company LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 655 15th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20005.