THIS is with reference to the letter ‘South Africa is the pride of the world’ (Jan 18), which rightly praised the African nation for approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the brutality in Gaza by Israel that has claimed 24,000 Palestinian lives already.

South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. Genocidal actions listed in the suit include the killing of Palestinians in Gaza in large numbers, especially children, the destruction of their homes, their expulsion and displacement, as well as enforcing a blockade on food, water and medical assistance to the Gaza Strip.

The aggression of Israel caused disruption of peace in the region and the world witnessed blatant transgression of fundamental rights. Israeli rulers have brushed aside all principles of morality by depriving innocent inhabitants of Palestine of the right to life, liberty and property that are basic human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.

While South Africa’s courageous action is commendable, it is a matter of shame for the Muslim world that has failed to take action or make any serious effort to draw the attention of the international community towards such brazen brutality.

This is a time for brutally honest soul-searching. If nothing else, Muslim countries should have approached the ICJ or any other such international forum to stop the genocide of Palestinian people.

Kamran Khamiso Khowaja
Sujawal

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2024