Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday stressed the need to hold Israel accountable before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza.

The Algerian president praised: “South Africa’s efforts to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for its crimes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip before the international judiciary.”
He added: “I welcome the lawsuit filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice against Israel,” noting that his country “fully supports it.”
Tebboune pointed out: “There is a union of views between Algeria and South Africa regarding the preference for politically negotiated solutions to resolve crises away from foreign interventions. Algeria and South Africa agreed to intensify efforts within the United Nations and the African Union to enhance the role of the continent and work to achieve the demand to reform the United Nations (UN) Security Council system and correct injustice.”
Tebboune recalled Africa’s request for two permanent seats in the UN Security Council, as it is the only continent not represented in a permanent seat on the council.
Ramaphosa expressed that he: “Appraised President Tebboune on South Africa’s case before the International Court of Justice to hold the State of Israel accountable for its crimes against the people of Gaza.”
He explained that his country has recorded a lack of respect for international law and filed a complaint against the Israeli occupation and the war crimes it is committing in Gaza, noting that they have received tremendous support from many countries.
Ramaphosa called for “adherence to international law regarding Palestine” and expressed solidarity with “oppressed peoples worldwide.”
He thanked the countries that supported his country’s lawsuit against Israel, saying that South Africa expresses its appreciation for the support received from various countries of the world, especially from the government and people of Algeria regarding the initiative to hold the Israeli occupation accountable.
“South Africa reiterates its call for a cessation of hostilities, for the release of all hostages, and for the suffering population of Gaza to receive the humanitarian aid they so desperately need,” said the South African president, noting: “As countries that have known the pain of occupation and dispossession, we stand in solidarity with the oppressed everywhere, including in Palestine and Western Sahara. South Africa and Algeria agree that the only lasting solution to this conflict is the realisation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”
On 29 December, 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ for violating the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.