Namibia’s presidency has issued a strong rebuke to Germany over its decision to support Israel in the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case. This criticism arises amid the backdrop of Germany’s historical genocide against the Namibian people in the early 20th century. The case, brought forward by South Africa, accuses Israel of genocidal acts in its conflict with Gaza, which has now surpassed 100 days, resulting in nearly 24,000 casualties.
Hage Geingob, the President of Namibia, condemned Germany for backing what he described as the “genocidal and gruesome acts of the Israeli government against innocent civilians in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian Territories.” The Namibian president’s statement comes as a striking critique, given Germany’s own history of colonial atrocities in Namibia between 1904 and 1908, often regarded as the 20th century’s first genocide.
During the two-day public hearing at the World Court, South Africa presented harrowing details of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The offensive, comprising aerial and ground attacks, has devastated large areas of Gaza and resulted in the death of almost 24,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel, however, refuted these claims, denying the allegations of state-led genocide against Palestinians.
The Namibian statement also highlighted the displacement and suffering of Gaza’s population, citing United Nations reports that point to the displacement of 85 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents amid acute shortages of food and essential services. The president expressed “deep concern” over Germany’s rejection of South Africa’s morally driven indictment, urging the German government to reconsider its stance.
This controversy underscores the complex historical and diplomatic relationships between the nations involved. Henning Melber, from the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden, noted the significance of Germany’s decision, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the beginning of the German-Namibian war, leading to the first genocide of the 20th century. Germany’s involvement in the ICJ case marks a pivotal moment in its already fragile relations with Namibia.
Despite Germany’s acknowledgment of the Holocaust’s horrors, Melber emphasized that it falls short of legally recognizing the Namibian genocide, avoiding reparations responsibilities. The ICJ is expected to announce a provisional measure soon, but a final verdict could take years. South Africa has urged the court for an immediate halt to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
The 1948 Genocide Convention, established following the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as acts with the intent to destroy, wholly or partly, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Several countries and international organizations support South Africa in this case, while Israel enjoys the backing of the United States.
The world watches as the ICJ deliberates on this landmark case, offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution that acknowledges the past and paves the way for a more just future.
Source: Aljazeera
