The United States on Thursday strongly defended Israel, which faces charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of committing genocide against Palestinians, saying it has not observed such acts in Gaza.
Instead, Washington accused Hamas of calling for the “mass murder of Jews.”
On the eve of The Hague proceeding, US State Department spokesman Matt Miller said in a statement that the court “plays a vital role in the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
The ICJ had scheduled public hearings for Jan. 11 and 12 on South Africa's request to order an immediate halt to Israel’s military operation in the Palestinian enclave and to declare that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The definition of “genocide” in the Convention describes the term as a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part.
On Thursday, the State Department said the allegation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip against Palestinians is “unfounded.”
Instead, Washington directed the blame to the opposite side, saying “it is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews.”
Miller said: “Genocide is one of the most heinous acts any entity or individual can commit, and such allegations should only be made with the greatest of care.”
He added that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas’ terrorist acts.
The State Department said Israel faced a huge challenge in fighting an enemy in Hamas which had embedded itself within the civilian population.
Miller condemned Hamas’ October 7 “terror onslaught and the seizing of hostages,” however, he said the US still expects that Israel complies with international humanitarian law in its operations against Hamas.
“We continue to condemn dehumanizing rhetoric on all sides,” the State Department spokesman added.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “The US believes South Africa's genocide submission against Israel distracts the world from important efforts for peace and security.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the genocide allegations “unfounded.”
