‘Mandela Will Be Smiling,’ South Africa Minister Says on ICJ Ruling against Israel

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola, (C), and member of the African National Committee react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip, in Johannesburg, 26 January 2024. (EPA)
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola, (C), and member of the African National Committee react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip, in Johannesburg, 26 January 2024. (EPA)
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‘Mandela Will Be Smiling,’ South Africa Minister Says on ICJ Ruling against Israel

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola, (C), and member of the African National Committee react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip, in Johannesburg, 26 January 2024. (EPA)
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola, (C), and member of the African National Committee react as they watch the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip, in Johannesburg, 26 January 2024. (EPA)

South Africa's liberation hero Nelson Mandela "will be smiling in his grave" at the World Court order imposing emergency measures against Israel over its war in Gaza, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said.

In a case brought by South Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.

It has not yet ruled on the core of South Africa's case, whether genocide has occurred in Gaza. That ruling could take years.

"We believe that former President Mandela will be smiling in his grave as one of the advocates for the Genocide Convention," Lamola told Reuters on the sidelines of a gathering of the governing African National Congress party outside Johannesburg.

The ANC has long defended the Palestinian cause, a relationship forged when its struggle against oppressive white-minority rule was supported by Yasser Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization.

It has likened Israel's actions to its struggle against apartheid, a comparison rejected by Israel, which has said South Africa's allegations of genocide are "grossly distorted" and that it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "The mere claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians is not only false, it's outrageous, and the willingness of the court to even discuss this is a disgrace that will not be erased for generations."

Lamola said South Africa taking the case to The Hague was an act of courage motivated by a desire to stand up for a rules-based world order.

He added: "It is a victory for the international law that there could be no exceptionalism in any part of the world and Israel cannot be exempt from complying with its international obligations."



Kremlin Says it Supports Direct US-Iran Talks over Nuclear Program

An Iranian painter repaints a famous anti-US mural in a street in Tehran, Iran, 07 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian painter repaints a famous anti-US mural in a street in Tehran, Iran, 07 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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Kremlin Says it Supports Direct US-Iran Talks over Nuclear Program

An Iranian painter repaints a famous anti-US mural in a street in Tehran, Iran, 07 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian painter repaints a famous anti-US mural in a street in Tehran, Iran, 07 April 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia backed both direct and indirect talks between Iran and the US over Tehran's nuclear program, as they could lead to a de-escalation of tensions between the two sides.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's support for a diplomatic and political settlement.
Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that the US and Iran are to hold talks in Oman on April 12.
Russia and Iran have deepened their diplomatic and military ties since Moscow ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has previously offered to help facilitate talks between Tehran and Washington.

Iran had pushed back against Trump's demands in recent weeks that it directly negotiate over its nuclear program or be bombed, and it appeared to be sticking to that position on Monday.
"We're having direct talks with Iran, and they've started. It'll go on Saturday. We have a very big meeting, and we'll see what can happen," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"And I think everybody agrees that doing a deal would be preferable," Trump said. He added that Saturday's talks with Iran would be at a very high level, without elaborating.