Türkiye's decision to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel reflects Ankara's determination to resolve the Palestinian issue within the framework of law and justice, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
In a statement issued after Türkiye submitted its bid to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ministry said Ankara has been closely following the case.
"Following extensive legal work coordinated by our Ministry with the contributions and participation of our relevant institutions and organizations, Türkiye, as a party to the Genocide Convention, submitted its Declaration of Intervention to the Court under Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ on 7 August 2024," the ministry said.
"Türkiye's decision to intervene reflects the importance our country attaches to resolving the Palestinian issue within the framework of law and justice," the ministry said, adding that Israeli officials responsible for the crimes committed against Palestinians will be held accountable under international law.
A Turkish delegation formally filed the ‘most comprehensive bid so far’ with the World Court to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel, aiming to strengthen the case and encourage regional nations to follow suit.
Türkiye, one of the fiercest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, became the latest nation to seek to participate in the case after Palestine, Nicaragua, Spain and others.
In May, Türkiye said it had decided to join the case launched by South Africa as it stepped up measures against Israel over the assault on Gaza, adding that its bid would follow the necessary legal preparations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has frequently compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, accused his country of genocide, called for it to be punished in international courts and criticized Western nations for backing Israel.
Also in May, Türkiye suspended trade with Israel, citing its assault on Gaza. In contrast to Western nations that have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, Erdogan has commended the group, calling it a liberation movement.
South Africa brought a case to the International Court of Justice late last year, accusing Israel of violating the genocide convention through its military operations in Gaza. In that case, the court called on Israel to do everything in its power to prevent genocide and recently ordered the country to "ensure urgent humanitarian assistance" in Gaza without delay.
