The International Court of Justice’s decision to order Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza has been celebrated in South Africa. The lawyers who fought the country’s case in The Hague were greeted as heroes upon their return. Many South Africans feel a sense of solidarity with the Palestinians, seeing parallels between their struggle for freedom from apartheid and the plight of the Palestinians. However, divisions still exist, with the majority Black population supporting Palestine and the white population tending to back Israel.
The South African government’s campaign at the ICJ comes just months before critical elections, where the ruling ANC faces the possibility of losing its majority in parliament. By using the Palestinian cause as an important election plank, the ANC taps into the nostalgia that many feel for South Africa’s own liberation struggle and distracts the electorate from the party’s failures of governance. The ANC’s mobilization of the ICJ issue as an election instrument is evidenced by its proclamation of victory and prominent display of the slogan “#CeasefireNow” at its rallies.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has been cautious in its approach to the Israel-Palestine issue to avoid alienating its white voter base while also appealing to other groups, particularly the Muslim vote. The DA has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to a Palestinian state and reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution. The ANC government has received praise for its ICJ campaign as a rare triumph of foreign policy, signaling a high-water mark in the country’s foreign policy since the end of apartheid in 1994. The ultimate success or failure of the ICJ ruling will depend on Israel’s implementation of the court’s order.
Overall, South Africa’s campaign at the ICJ has brought attention to the plight of Palestinians and has given a boost to the beleaguered ANC government in an election year. The issue has resonated with many South Africans and has become a key election plank for the ANC. However, divisions remain within the country, with racial lines often determining people’s stance on the Israel-Palestine question. The ruling ANC hopes to capitalize on the support for Palestine and distract from its governance failures. The opposition DA has taken a cautious approach to the issue to avoid alienating its voter base. The ultimate success of the ICJ ruling depends on Israel’s response.
