The Hague Group Launches Legal Campaign Against Israel
February 02, 2025
12:30 PM
Reading time: 4 minutes

A coalition of nine countries, known as The Hague Group, launched a legal campaign against Israel on Friday, accusing the Jewish state of illegally occupying Palestinian territory, committing war crimes in Gaza, and disregarding international court rulings. The group, formed of South Africa, Belize, Cuba, Namibia, Bolivia, Honduras, Senegal, Colombia, and Malaysia, announced a vague but firm commitment to taking "measures to end Israeli occupation" and ensure the Palestinian right to self-determination.
This campaign follows recent rulings from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, the ICJ issued a provisional order that Israel must refrain from acts that could lead to genocide but stopped short of ordering an immediate halt to the Gaza conflict.
The Hague Group’s legal campaign aims to pressure Israel on multiple fronts. The group is focused on advocating for a broadening of legal definitions, particularly the concept of genocide, and ensuring that Israel adheres to international rulings, including the evacuation of Palestinian territories such as the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
A key part of their strategy is to stop the transfer of arms to Israel and restrict the docking of vessels in their ports if there is a risk of the ships being used to transport military equipment to Israel.
South African International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola highlighted the group’s stance, stating that "no nation is above the law, and no crime will go unanswered."
Ireland has notably joined the case, pushing for the ICJ to expand its interpretation of genocide in order to hold Israel accountable for actions in Gaza. The Irish government believes that a narrow definition of genocide has created a culture of impunity, diminishing the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
The case has also drawn attention due to the lack of reference to Hamas or the October 7 attacks in The Hague Group’s joint statement, which solely targets Israel. This omission has sparked criticism, with many pointing out that the violence initiated by Hamas in southern Israel remains a critical aspect of the ongoing conflict.
The Hague Group’s legal campaign marks a significant escalation in efforts to challenge Israel’s actions on the international stage. Whether these efforts will lead to tangible outcomes or further entrench global divisions remains to be seen.