On Sunday, January 14th, Namibia strongly condemned Germany’s decision to support Israel in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa. This criticism from Namibia’s President Hage Geingob comes as Israel’s war on Gaza enters its 100th day, with the ICJ hearing arguments from both South Africa and Israel.
Namibia President Geingob, in a statement, criticized Germany for defending Israel’s actions in Gaza, stating that Germany’s support contradicts its commitment to the United Nations Convention against genocide. He highlighted the irony in Germany’s position, given its historical acknowledgment of committing genocide in Namibia during its colonial occupation.
In 2021, Germany officially recognized its role in the massacre of over 70,000 Herero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908 in Namibia, considered the 20th century’s first genocide. President Geingob appealed to Germany to reconsider its decision to intervene in defense of Israel at the ICJ, emphasizing the moral inconsistency of supporting a state accused of genocide while atoning for its own genocidal past.
The case at the ICJ, initiated by South Africa, accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. South Africa’s submission includes allegations of indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure. Israel has vehemently denied these allegations, arguing that its military operations in Gaza are not genocidal but acts of self-defense against Hamas.
The Namibian presidency’s statement also pointed out the disturbing reports from the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations about the internal displacement of a significant portion of Gaza’s population and acute shortages of food and essential services.
Germany’s intervention in the case has been described as a “political instrumentalization” of the UN genocide convention. The German government, citing its historical responsibility due to the Holocaust, has expressed its commitment to the genocide convention.
This development marks a significant moment in international relations, as it involves countries grappling with their colonial pasts and their current foreign policy stances. Namibia’s condemnation of Germany’s support for Israel in the ICJ case reflects the complex interplay of historical accountability, moral responsibility, and international diplomacy.
As the ICJ deliberates on this high-profile case, the international community watches closely, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for global justice and the interpretation of genocide under international law.
