World Court begins hearings on Nicaragua's claim Germany aiding Israel's genocide in Gaza

BERLIN - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings on Monday on Nicaragua’s case against Germany, accusing Berlin of facilitating "genocide” in Gaza by providing political and military support to Israel.

In his opening remarks, Nicaraguan Ambassador Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez said his country requests the court to order Germany to stop providing support for Israel in its war in Gaza.

"The case before us involves momentous events affecting the life and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of people and even the destruction of an entire people,” Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted him as saying.

"Serious breaches of international humanitarian law, and other peremptory norms of international law, including genocide, are taking place in Palestine,” he stressed.

A woman holds a placard as people protest outside the ICJ, as lawyers gather for a case filed by Nicaragua against Germany demanding judges impose emergency measures to stop Berlin providing Israel with weapons and other assistance, in the Hague on April 8, 2024. - (Photo by Robin van Lonkhuijsen / AFP)

The ambassador underlined that by providing political and military support to Israel, Germany is violating the 1948 Genocide Convention and international humanitarian law.

"Nicaragua is requesting the court to order that Germany to cease providing support to Israel in its campaign of destruction of the Palestinian people,” he said.

The German government remains one of the strongest supporters of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, despite growing public pressure. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly said Germany bears special responsibility for Israel because of its Nazi history.

Berlin approved €326.5 million (US$354 million) worth of weapons exports to Israel in 2023, the majority of which were approved after Israel waged a military offensive on Gaza on Oct 7 -- a tenfold increase compared to 2022. - BERNAMA