Cuba has requested to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of decades-long policies aimed at erasing Palestinian nationhood, the UN reported on Monday.
“For the Republic of Cuba, there is no doubt that genocide has been ongoing for decades, denying substantial parts of the Palestinian population their right to self-determination, peace, and sovereignty,” the statement declared. Cuba asserted that these actions prevent a fair resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the establishment of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The case, filed by South Africa, seeks to hold Israel accountable under the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Cuba’s intervention request calls for the ICJ to interpret Article II of the convention “broadly and holistically” in line with international law and the convention’s principles.
Cuba’s statement highlighted alleged systematic destruction of Palestinian infrastructure, forced displacements, and restrictive measures, such as the building of illegal walls and the imposition of apartheid-like conditions in the occupied territories. “These policies aim to eliminate the possibility of a free and sovereign Palestinian state,” the Cuban government claimed.
The statement also criticised the United Nations system for its failure to adequately address human rights violations against Palestinians, describing the ICJ as the “last hope” for justice and accountability under international law.
The ICJ’s decision on Cuba’s intervention request is expected to shape the legal discourse surrounding Palestine’s right to self-determination.
South Africa filed the case to hold Israel accountable under the UN Genocide Convention. To date, the following states have submitted intervention requests:
- Nicaragua (23 January 2024)
- Colombia (5 April 2024)
- Libya (10 May 2024)
- Mexico (24 May 2024)
- Palestine (31 May 2024)
- Spain (28 June 2024)
- Turkey (7 August 2024)
- Chile (12 September 2024)
- The Maldives (1 October 2024)
- Bolivia (8 October 2024)
- Ireland (6 January 2025).
