Germany has vehemently defended its military support for Israel amidst accusations of complicity in genocide.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague was on Tuesday conducting day two of hearings in the case brought by Nicaragua against the European nation.
Signatories to the Genocide Convention
Both Nicaragua and Germany are signatories to the Genocide Convention. The convention obligates them to prevent and punish acts of genocide.
It defines genocide as specific acts committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Signatory states are required to enact domestic legislation to prosecute individuals accused of genocide. They must also cooperate with international bodies like the International Criminal Court, and take preventative measures within their territories.
Signatory states are also encouraged to promote awareness of the convention’s principles. They must also educate their populations about the importance of preventing genocide and protecting vulnerable groups.
On the heels of South Africa’s own lawsuit
The ICJ trial follows the case brought by South Africa, which led to a ruling urging Israel to take measures to prevent genocidal acts. Israel maintains that its actions in Gaza are is self-defence, rejecting accusations of genocide.
So far, the conflict in Gaza has reportedly claimed over 33,000 lives, with the majority being civilians. Ongoing violence has exacerbated humanitarian crises. Reports of famine-like conditions are affecting hundreds of thousands in Gaza.
Nicaragua’s allegations centre on Germany’s purported breach of the genocide convention. This it does by providing military hardware to Israel and halting funding to the UN’s aid agency.
The Central American country contends that Germany’s arms sales to Israel contribute to alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. The sales amounted to millions of euros in 2023.
Germany’s legal team at the ICJ on Tuesday refuted these claims. It asserted that Israel’s security remains a cornerstone of Germany’s foreign policy for historical reasons.
Assistance to Israel adheres to strict standards
They emphasised that Germany’s assistance to Israel adheres to strict standards and is distorted by Nicaragua’s case.
Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, a legal adviser for the German Foreign Ministry, criticised Nicaragua’s case. She labelled it rushed and based on weak evidence.
She highlighted Germany’s stringent scrutiny of arms exports to ensure compliance with international law. And emphasised Germany’s significant humanitarian aid to Palestinians, making it the largest individual donor.
“Germany is doing its utmost to live up to its responsibility [to] both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.
“Germany has learned from its past. It’s a past that includes the responsibility for one of the most horrific crimes in human history, the Shoah,” she said.
