Erdogan urges international support for South Africa’s case against Israel in ICJ

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for increased global intervention in a legal case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Speaking at a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, Erdogan emphasized the importance of addressing Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Erdogan calls for broad international support

“We should encourage the maximum number of countries to intervene in the case filed by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice,” said President Erdogan.

Erdogan raised concerns about how Israel aims to settle in Gaza and destroy Palestinian entities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. “We must prevent this,” he asserted.

“We should encourage as many countries as possible to intervene in the case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice,” said the Turkish president.

“We are ready’ to implement all tangible actions that will show the heavy cost of the Netanyahu government’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory,” the president maintained.

Criticism of western, Muslim countries’ responses

Erdogan criticized Western countries for their continued support of Israel, while also pointing to what he sees as an inadequate response from Muslim countries.

“While a handful of Western countries provide all kinds of support to Israel, the inadequate reaction of Muslim countries has led to this situation on the ground,” President Erdogan said.

Humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza

Highlighting that Türkiye has sent more than 84,000 tons of aid to Gaza so far and is ready to send much more when the restrictions are lifted, President Erdogan said: “Israel cannot even tolerate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and has been keeping aid supplies waiting in Egypt for months.”