Cuba announced on Friday that it will join South Africa in its case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated, “Cuba has decided to participate as a third state in South Africa’s complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice.” As a third party not involved in the conflict, Cuba aims to provide its legal arguments supporting the interpretation of the Genocide Convention.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in a statement that “Cuba will exercise its right as a third state to present its interpretation of the treaty rules, which Israel has blatantly violated through its illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.”
Havana’s initiative aligns with its longstanding commitment to support legitimate international efforts aimed at ending the genocide of the Palestinian people.
South Africa had referred Israel to the International Court of Justice in late December for allegedly violating the UN Genocide Convention of 1948 during its attacks on Gaza.
The International Court of Justice, as the principal judicial body of the United Nations, issues legally binding decisions, although enforcement mechanisms are limited.
In recent rulings, the Court instructed Israel to ensure “unimpeded access” for UN-appointed investigators looking into allegations of genocide. It also ordered Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide during its military operations in Gaza.
