Germany Abruptly Withdraws Support for Israel at the International Court of Justice
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BERLIN – Germany has unexpectedly withdrawn from its previous promise to support Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the lawsuit regarding the genocide case in Gaza. This represents a significant change from its position when South Africa first filed the claim in 2023.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated this week that Berlin will not intervene on behalf of Israel in the case in The Hague. This contrasts with its stance in January 2024, when Germany announced it would support Israel and reject South Africa’s allegations as unfounded.
Middle East Monitor notes that this move marks an important shift in Germany’s public position. When South Africa filed its case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military attacks in Gaza, Germany was one of the first Western countries to support Israel, arguing that the genocide allegations were “unfounded”.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Germany’s decision relates to its legal difficulties at the ICJ. Berlin is itself defending a separate case brought by Nicaragua, which accuses Germany of violating international law, including the Genocide Convention, through its political, military, and financial support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
That case has put Germany under increasing scrutiny over its arms exports to Israel and the suspension of its funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Although the ICJ in 2024 rejected ordering emergency measures against Berlin, it allowed Nicaragua’s case to proceed, meaning Germany must continue to defend its actions before the court.
Berlin has not stated that it now endorses South Africa’s genocide allegations against Israel, and German officials continue to reject the claims made against Germany in the Nicaragua case.
However, its decision not to formally join Israel’s defence is likely to be seen as an attempt to avoid further legal and political exposure as international pressure intensifies over Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Germany’s involvement.
This development occurs as more states are participating in the case. The Netherlands and Iceland have now joined the ICJ proceedings, filing declarations of intervention on 11 March, adding to the list of countries seeking to consider South Africa’s case against Israel.
With Germany’s stance, the United States (US) becomes Israel’s only defender at the International Court of Justice. Last month, the US submitted an intervention opposing the charges against Israel at the ICJ.