Egypt to make argument before ICJ on Israel's 'illegal practices' against Palestinians

Egypt is set to make an oral argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) later this week about Israeli policies and practices in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 as the deadly onslaught on the neighbouring Gaza Strip has entered into its fifth consecutive month.

"The oral argument is part of an advisory opinion requested by the United Nations on Israeli practices violating the international human rights law," according to an official statement released by the state-run State Information Services (SIS) on Sunday.

Egypt had already presented two memoranda before the ICJ and is expected to deliver an oral argument on Wednesday, 21 February.  

Egypt’s proximity to and historical relationship with the Gaza Strip, as well as its relations with Israel, have given Cairo a pivotal role in the region's affairs besides being the first Arab state ever to normalise ties with Israel in 1979, despite widespread public opposition.

In the memos, Egypt criticised the demolitions of Palestinian houses and properties, the forcible displacement and expulsions of Palestinians, and land annexations.

"The memos also rejected the Israeli persecution and racial discrimination of [Palestinians] among other [acts]," the statement read.

Israel's war on the besieged Gaza first began on 7 October, claiming the lives of over 28,900 Palestinians, and injuring more than 68,000 others as mediation efforts have so far failed to reach a long-term truce.

Egypt has frequently been criticised for refraining from formally joining other countries in the South Africa-led case against Israel before the ICJ.

"[Egypt’s] memoranda and the oral argument call on the ICJ to hold Israel responsible for all internationally illegal practices and policies [against Palestinians]," said the statement quoting Head of SIS Diaa Rashwan, also the former president of the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate.

In its ruling on 26 January, the ICJ ordered Israel to comply with six provisional measures, which include taking every necessary step to avert genocide, curbing and penalising any direct and overt calls to genocide, and swiftly implementing measures to guarantee access to essential services and humanitarian assistance for Gaza’s civilian population.

The court has further demanded Israel to safeguard genocide evidence and report on its compliance within a month.

Since the ruling has been made, not a single Israeli official has been prosecuted or even investigated for any comment that could fall under incitement to genocide.