South Africa’s case accusing Israel of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was secretly planned by anti-Israel lawyer John Dugard and communist ex-minister Ronnie Kasrils, according to recent admissions by former South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor. The plan was intentionally concealed from the South African public to avoid backlash from the Jewish community and other critics.
Pandor revealed in a resurfaced interview that Dugard, notorious for his repeated accusations against Israel, contacted her through Kasrils—who persistently messaged her on WhatsApp about alleged “genocide” in Gaza. Despite Dugard’s past reputation as an anti-apartheid lawyer, he has since been a leading figure in the campaign to brand Israel as an apartheid and genocidal state.
The South African Cabinet quietly approved the ICJ filing, fully aware that public scrutiny might derail the effort. That secrecy speaks volumes about the controversial nature of the case and its shaky moral foundation.
The irony, critics say, is that Kasrils himself has long promoted violence against Israelis and Jews. He publicly celebrated Hamas’s October 7 massacre of 1,200 civilians in Israel, calling the attack “brilliant, spectacular” and “damned good.” He praised the slaughter — including women and children — as a justified act of war, aligning himself openly with Hamas’s genocidal aims.
Kasrils has supported Hamas for years despite its well-documented charter calling for the annihilation of Israel. His endorsement of the October 7 atrocities was more than political rhetoric — it was a chilling celebration of terrorism and mass murder. His influence on the ICJ case now raises serious questions about the legitimacy and motives behind South Africa’s legal challenge.
The ICJ case itself argues that Israel, which fully withdrew from Gaza in 2005, has no right to defend itself from Hamas — despite Hamas’s repeated terror attacks. Legal experts have condemned the case as an attempt to shield a terror group by criminalizing self-defense.
While South Africa presents itself as a neutral arbiter seeking justice, the origin of the case reveals a troubling alliance with violent actors who seek the destruction of Israel. Questions remain about possible Iranian involvement in funding or encouraging the ICJ action.
What’s clear is that this case was not about protecting civilians — it was about weaponizing international law to paralyze Israel’s defense while giving cover to a genocidal terror campaign.
