Turkey is set to file a request with a United Nations tribunal on Wednesday to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel, a Turkish official revealed. The intervention declaration will be submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
This move marks Turkey as the latest country seeking to participate in the high-profile case. Turkey, a staunch critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has been vocal in its condemnation of the Israeli government. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, accused Israel of committing genocide, and called for international courts to hold Israel accountable. Erdogan has also criticized Western nations for their support of Israel.
In May, Turkey suspended trade with Israel in response to what it termed Israel’s assault on Gaza. Unlike Western countries, which have labeled Hamas as a terrorist organization, Erdogan has praised the group, referring to it as a liberation movement.
South Africa initiated the case against Israel at the ICJ late last year, accusing the country of violating the Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza. This lawsuit claims that Israel’s actions constitute genocide against the Palestinian people.
Israel has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that its military actions in Gaza were a legitimate defensive response to an October 7 attack by Hamas militants, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the kidnapping of 250 hostages.
Several countries and Palestinian officials have already requested to join the case, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, and Spain. The ICJ has yet to make a decision on these requests. Should Turkey be admitted to the case, it will be allowed to submit written observations and participate in public hearings.
Preliminary hearings have been conducted in the genocide case against Israel, but the court is expected to take several years to reach a final verdict.
Since President Erdogan came to power in 2003, relations between Turkey and Israel—once allies—have been marked by significant volatility, including periods of intense friction and attempts at reconciliation. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has further strained these efforts to normalize ties.
