The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed receipt of a referral from five countries, including South Africa, to investigate Israel for war crimes.

The department of international relations and cooperation (DIRCO) said on Friday it referred the situation in the state of Palestine to the office of the prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC, which was delivered in person by South Africa’s ambassador in The Hague, Vusi Madonsela.

The department said South Africa, along with like-minded states Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti, submitted a joint referral of the situation in Palestine to ensure that the “ICC pays urgent attention to the grave situation in Palestine and thereby lending their support to the prosecutor’s investigation. Venezuela will petition the court in writing to join the submission.”

🇿🇦 South Africa
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇧🇴 Bolivia
🇰🇲 Comoros
🇩🇯 Djibouti
🇻🇪 Venezuela

The ICC’s Karim Asad Ahmad Khan KC (King's Counsel) confirmed his office received the referral on Friday.

“In accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, a state party may refer to the prosecutor a situation in which one or more crimes within the jurisdiction of the court appear to have been committed, requesting the prosecutor to investigate the situation for the purpose of determining whether one or more specific persons should be charged with the commission of such crimes,” he said.

“In receiving the referral, my office confirms it is presently conducting an investigation into the situation in the state of Palestine.

“This investigation, commenced on March 3 2021, encompasses conduct that may amount to Rome Statute crimes committed since June 13 2014 in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

“It is ongoing and extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks that took place on October 7. In accordance with the Rome Statute, my office has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the territory of a state party and with respect to the nationals of states parties.”

Khan said when he commenced office in June 2021, he put in place a team to address the situation in Palestine.

“As I stated in my recent visit to Rafah crossing, pursuant to its mandate, this unified team is moving with focus in collecting, preserving and analysing information and communications from key stakeholders in relation to relevant incidents.

“The office has collected a significant volume of information and evidence, including through submissions received via OTP Link, our secure platform to receive submissions. I continue to encourage all those with relevant information to contact my office.”

The state of Palestine said it welcomes the referral to the ICC by the five states parties.

“The international impunity Israel enjoys and has enjoyed for 75 years must come to an end,” it said.

“On the heels of the deadliest year for the Palestinian people and a catastrophic humanitarian situation caused by the commission of crimes listed in the Rome Statute, the referral is asking the office of the prosecutor to vigorously investigate the crimes under its jurisdiction and within the context of the situation in the state of Palestine.

ONEjoblessGUY:
Why is dis stewpid xenophobic god damned south Africa........the only Africa putting this for head.........
country we modern slavery wan finish sef......

ONEjoblessGUY:
Why is dis stewpid xenophobic god damned south Africa........the only Africa putting this for head.........
country we modern slavery wan finish sef......

WannaHowzit:


Lol, modern slaves exposing Nigeria thats sitting on its hands over international affairs (Ukraine/Gaza). U scared of the whites?😂🇳🇬👎🏾. Of course you are 💯💯💯💩💩💩

How was your draw with Zimbabwe yesterday? SA slaves are going to 2026 World Cup for sure 🇿🇦💯😂 Gonna lash u at home & away🇿🇦🏆🏆🏆

Difrent:


You replied a BOT
or does that sound like a human being to you?

muykem:
Just like 5 fingers of leprosy.

ipobarecriminals:
6 USELESS COUNTRIES.

WannaHowzit:


Lol, useless country South Africa monopolizing your economy🇳🇬 - from MTN to Multichoice, Shoprite to Stanbic🇿🇦🏆

I wonder what that makes you if SA is a useless country👎🏾💩

ipobarecriminals:
They are FREE to leave.Nor be dem wan kill themselves in Nigeria?

WannaHowzit:


Lol, useless country South Africa monopolizing your economy🇳🇬 - from MTN to Multichoice, Shoprite to Stanbic🇿🇦🏆 Even amapiano 🤣🤣🤣

I wonder what that makes you if SA is a useless country👎🏾💩

Penguin2:

First of, South African investors have sold their stake in Shoprite to a Nigerian.
Second, Stanbic is not even a Second tier Bank in Nigeria.

Third, you are claiming Amapiano but Nigerians are the ones getting Grammy nominations with Amapiano. Pathetic!

Tell your president to focus on Load Shedding than waste his time trying to fight Israel.

But guess what, you are so insignificant that Israel doesn’t even respond to any of your shenanigans.

WannaHowzit:


Lol, Shoprite taught you the mall experience. Before then you didn't even have a single escalator in Nigeria in the 21st century😢 Back to Mama Put and her unhygienic open gutters for u with sewage all over the place😢😢😢


Secondly, remind me again how many Grammys SA has vs Nigeria. Nominated again this year if you haven't heard🇿🇦🏆. Won last year, Black Coffee and Nomcebo. Funny how afrobeats has died a brutal death coz of amapiano 🇿🇦🏆🏆🏆🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thirdly - Pep, Game, Truworths, Woolworths, Foschini, etc. All SA brands common in Nigeria. Which Nigerian brands are common in SA (well deserved poop emoji for u & your cowntry (🇳🇬💩💩💩)

Poisonousman:


Who made Musa keys Grammy nominee is it not davido

Axis313:
Every sane and lovers of justice knew the atrocities being carried out day in day out by the apartheid israhell on innocent Palestinians even before Hamas attack last two months is not justified.
But some myopically biased individuals will support the current genocide going on under their nose,because of their deep hatred for Arabs.

WannaHowzit:


Indeed, Israeli oppression & occupation created Hamas. White worshippers have forgotten the West has always supported the colonisation of people of colour. Today, they're blindly following the West's description of Hamas as a terrorist group. They're freedom fighters.

WannaHowzit:


Lol, Shoprite taught you the mall experience. Before then you didn't even have a single escalator in Nigeria in the 21st century😢 Back to Mama Put and her unhygienic open gutters for u with sewage all over the place😢😢😢


Secondly, remind me again how many Grammys SA has vs Nigeria. Nominated again this year if you haven't heard🇿🇦🏆. Won last year, Black Coffee and Nomcebo, respectively. Funny how afrobeats has died a brutal death coz of amapiano 🇿🇦🏆🏆🏆🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thirdly - Pep, Game, Truworths, Woolworths, Foschini, etc. All SA brands common in Nigeria. Which Nigerian brands are common in SA (well deserved poop emoji for u & your cowntry (🇳🇬💩💩💩)

sainttwist1:
south Africa boi sorry ehn, Nigerian are not the source of the war, so no need to fight us.
report Israel to Zeus or the avengers it is not our problem