Support for South Africa

Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

Kia ora Prime Minister Luxon,

As you may be aware, South Africa – a signatory of the Genocide Convention – has filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. If South Africa wins the order then, under Article I of the Genocide Convention, all contracting parties, 153 states, including Aotearoa, New Zealand, will be obliged “to prevent,” said genocide.

The New Zealand government must act now to be on the right side of history. As a nation, we have the opportunity to be part of a historic process that could redefine the application of international law in conflict resolution and uphold the principles of justice and accountability on the global stage.

I am writing to urge you to lead New Zealand in support of South Africa’s comprehensive application and to urgently make it clear that we unequivocally support South Africa’s case to the International Court of Justice.

According to South Africa, “acts and omissions by Israel… are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent… to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader… national, racial and ethnical group… in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention”.

South Africa’s application to the ICJ is a comprehensive, 84-page document publicly available on the ICJ’s website, grounded in detailed factual and legal analysis. You can and should read it in full here.

South Africa is bravely standing for justice after their own long and arduous journey to break free of an apartheid system. There is a direct comparison between the Israeli apartheid system on all the Palestinians, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, and what happened in apartheid South Africa. South Africa are in a unique position to provide insight in this case and we must support their meticulous and legally grounded application.

South Africa’s application to the ICJ, reflects a crucial recognition of the international community’s role in conflict resolution and human rights protection. The New Zealand government is ideally placed to offer diplomatic mediation and support for a political resolution to the crisis in Gaza and The West Bank. Upholding “international rules-based order” is key to maintaining a just and fair world order. New Zealand must stand for peace.

“Based on my careful review of all the documents so far submitted by the Republic of South Africa, I believe South Africa will win an order against Israel to cease and desist from committing all acts of genocide against the Palestinians.”

US human rights lawyer Francis Boyle

Imagine the horror of being on the wrong side of history – where Israel is found guilty of genocide and our nation did nothing to call for it’s end; not even supporting an investigation into the act itself.

Two years ago New Zealand supported the case Ukraine brought to the International Court of Justice against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. We must do the same to support Palestinians.

Please act with integrity and humanity and file a declaration of intervention at the World Court in solidarity with South Africa’s case against Israel and in support of Palestinians.

Ngā mihi.

(your name)