Netherlands, Iceland Join South Africa`s ICJ Case Against Israel Over Gaza Genocide

Joining 16 other states, Iceland and the Netherlands have joined South Africa`s ICJ case charging Israel of genocide in Gaza. The new petitioners cite `forced displacement, blocked aid and harm to children` may be relevant in assessing genocidal intent.

The Netherlands and Iceland have joined the case initiated by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Submitted their declarations on Wednesday under Article 63 of the court’s statute, both countries are parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Thus, they required states to intervene upon potential breach of the convention.

The Netherlands highlighted how Israel’s forcible displacement of civilians could constitute acts of genocide, also demonstrating genocidal intent.

Israeli forces slaughtered more than 75,000 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza. The true death toll is likely much higher. Israel also destroyed most of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and forcibly displaced almost its entire population while waging a campaign of forced starvation.

HLRN has stated, “We celebrate the Netherlands and Iceland governments for fulfilling their most basic treaty obligation to seek an end to breaches of their Convention. As parties the global demand for accountability and the hideous crime of uprooting and persecuting reinforces the obligation of all nations to uphold the Genocide Convention. Our own government must listen to the American people and support international law by ending U.S. support for the Israeli government’s crimes, including the genocide in Gaza.”

Declarations of intervention in the proceedings filed on 11 March 2026 by the Netherlands

and by Iceland under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court

Countries and International Organizations supporting South Africa`s case:

photo: ICJ building in The Hague. Source: Anadolu Acensi.