The initiative launched by South Africa to condemn and plead Israel in the International Court of Justice is an important humanitarian, regional, and political step in support of the Palestinian cause. The Palestinians have been subjected to various forms of genocide and ethnic cleansing, while Arab countries remain silent, neglecting the ongoing existential threat and acts of terrorism that target the region’s security, stability, and development.
Many may wonder about the possibility and feasibility of these trials and their impact on holding Israel accountable for its crimes. It is evident today that a significant portion of the population has been misled by the West’s colonial narrative. However, a new element has emerged, challenging the West’s humanistic, enlightened, and civilizational facade. This element has exposed the facts and statements that support arrogance and Western centralism, revealing a shared heritage of arrogance and racist mentality. These factors provide self-justification for committing crimes and massacres, claiming that the European West was not less cruel than Israel, but more merciful.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements, referring to the children of Gaza as Nazis who should be killed, and Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu’s call to break the morale of Palestinians and use nuclear weapons against them, highlight the disturbing rhetoric. The International Court of Justice should consider these statements, along with Israel’s claims that Palestinians attacked them in the October 7 war and used children as human shields to win sympathy from the international community. Will South Africa’s plea now alleviate this resentment and shift attention to the situation in Yemen?
The credibility of the white man, which was once unquestioned, has been eroded over the years, particularly regarding human rights and civilization. Historical events, such as Germany’s persecution of the Herero and Nama tribes in Africa, demonstrate the extent of colonial policies, torture, and exploitation. It is essential to question whether the white man today can continue to invoke the pretext of urbanization and civilization, especially after the reality of the West and its racism has been exposed through protests against racist policies.
South Africa’s plea against Israel’s practices is crucial from a legal standpoint. It serves to prove and condemn the crimes committed, holding Israel accountable for genocide. The prosecution of Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of the government and army in the International Criminal Court is an important step. Countries that have signed the Rome Statute are obligated to arrest criminals or refrain from receiving them. Israel must be compelled to stop its genocidal actions. Although the United States may attempt to delay proceedings, it cannot alter the essence of the case legally, as it would risk undermining its credibility in the face of global public opinion.
Arab countries involved in the conflict with Israel, particularly Palestine, should leverage South Africa’s initiative to strengthen institutional work and accumulate legal experience in prosecuting such crimes. It is crucial to continue and sustain these efforts, rather than relying solely on South Africa’s actions.
It is important to emphasize that the Zionist-Israeli genocidal crimes are part of a larger conflict between colonizers and the colonized. This perspective is crucial in understanding the nature of this conflict.
In conclusion, the battle for justice is ongoing and must extend beyond the legal realm. A new movement of moral resistance, drawing from Africa’s experience, is necessary. It is essential to challenge the Western narrative, dismantle its centrality, and establish our own identities and privacy. Holding the West accountable for its racist and colonial crimes is crucial for developing the concept of the relationship between self and other. The West does not hold a monopoly on supremacy, as other peoples possess the potential for greatness. Western circles are now reevaluating their colonial legacy and seeking reconciliation with their former colonies, often resulting in the creation of distorted and divided societies. We must remain vigilant against these attempts to sow hatred and division.
