THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Nicaragua has accused Germany of helping “genocide” in Gaza Strip in a case started in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), by giving support to Israel and suspending funding to the UN Palestinian refugee agency.
Through those measures, “Germany is facilitating the commission of genocide and, in any case has failed in its obligation to do everything possible to prevent the commission of genocide,” Nicaragua argued in a filing published by the ICJ.
Nicaragua had asked the Hague-based court to take a quick interim ruling against Germany before the judges carefully examine the case.
The filing comes after the International Court of Justice ruled on January 26 that Israel must do everything it can to stop the genocide in Gaza and take “immediate” action on aid provisions.
The interim order comes as the court seriously examines a complaint filed by South Africa in December alleging Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Israel dismissed South Africa’s case as a “grossly distorted story”.
Although ICJ judgments are legally binding, the courts have no enforcement mechanism.
Human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said this week that Israel is ignoring an interim order from the International Court of Justice by limiting humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel’s accusations that staff of the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, were involved in Hamas attacks on Israeli communities on October 7 prompted several countries, including Germany, Japan, Britain and the United States, to withdraw funding.
On Friday, the European Commission stressed that it would maintain funding to UNRWA while it reviews the arrangement in light of Israel’s claims.
The commission announced that it will release 50 million euros ($54 million) to UN agencies next week, followed by another 32 million euros.
