In brief
Naledi Pandor, former South African foreign minister, demanded that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hold public hearings on its case against Israel and issue stronger interim orders to protect Palestinians in Gaza. She highlighted threats she faced after South Africa filed the case in December 2023 and urged U.S. lawmakers to back human‑rights‑focused foreign policy. The ICJ has yet to rule on the genocide allegations, but has considered provisional measures for humanitarian aid.
Former South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor has urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold public hearings on its Gaza genocide case and to issue stronger interim measures to safeguard Palestinians.
South Africa filed the case in December 2023 while Pandor was in office, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. The ICJ has held hearings on provisional measures but has not yet ruled on whether Israel committed genocide.
"We would like to have the case heard so that the world can adjudicate whether our contention that genocide is underway will be held up by legal scrutiny," Pandor said in an interview with Anadolu Agency.
She wants the court to strengthen its interim orders, which require Israel to prevent genocide‑related acts and ensure urgent humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. South Africa submitted a dossier on August 25, alleging that Israel had not complied with the court’s three provisional measures orders.
After the filing, Pandor said she received additional security protection while in government and has continued to face personal attacks.
"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," she said.
"But I've said that insults are the last refuge of a scoundrel," she added.
Pandor also discussed strained ties with Washington, noting that relations deteriorated under President Donald Trump but expressing cautious optimism about the incoming U.S. Congress after the November election.
The case’s written arguments are due from South Africa by November 22, 2027, and from Israel by May 22, 2029, but no date has been set for the public hearings Pandor is calling for.
