Israel wants members of the US Congress to threaten South Africa with cutting trade ties with the US if it does not drop its case against the Jewish state at the UN International Court of Justice over Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, US media reported, citing a leaked cable from the Israeli Foreign Ministry to the Israeli Embassy in the US.
"We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organizations to put pressure on South Africa to change its policy towards Israel and to make clear that continuing their current actions like supporting Hamas and pushing anti-Israeli moves in international courts will come with a heavy price," the document reportedly read.
It is noted that Israeli diplomats were also urged to lobby in any way possible to promote anti-South Africa legislation in the US in an attempt to influence the African country's policies.
South Africa has twice filed legal actions against Israel at the UN International Court of Justice, in December 2023 and later in May this year, both related to the situation in the Gaza Strip, where some 41,000 civilians, mostly children and women, have been killed by the Israeli army.
First, on December 29, 2023, South Africa accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its actions against Palestinians in Gaza. They requested the court take interim measures against Israel.
Then, on May 10, South Africa filed an urgent request for additional measures due to "changed circumstances" and "new facts." The court responded by obligating Israel to take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza, punish calls for genocide, ensure humanitarian aid, and preserve evidence related to alleged crimes. However, the court did not order Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza, as requested by South Africa.