The Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) in London has called upon United Nations Member States to support South Africa in its application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) invoking the Genocide Convention against Israel.

In a letter to the Member States of the UN Human Rights Council, PRC said that States parties to the Genocide Convention are required under the law to prevent genocide.

The letter referred to the international support garnered by South Africa’s application to the ICJ to take measures to stop the genocide. States that have voiced support South Africa’s application include, Bolivia, Colombia, Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Brazil.

PRC cited UN human rights experts who have commended South Africa for bringing this case to the ICJ at a time when the rights of Palestinians in Gaza are being violated with impunity.

The letter added that as of last week, over 21,000 Palestinians have been killed and further 7,700 missing and presumed dead under the rubble. Over 50,000 Palestinians are severely wounded or maimed.

Citing data by the humanitarian NGO Save the Children, the letter said that in the past three months, more than 10 Palestinian children a day have lost a limb. Over 90 percent of the population faces crisis levels of hunger. There has also been a widespread assault on Gaza’s health system, with the CNN reporting that 20 out of 22 hospitals in Northern Gaza were damaged or destroyed in the first two months since Israel’s attacks.

PRC referred to a database created by Law for Palestine which provides overwhelming evidence of genocidal intent. The database holds over 500 statements by Israeli leaders and members of the Occupation forces inciting to genocidal violence against Palestinians.

PRC has called upon all Member States to cooperate with the Court as it interprets the Genocide Convention and to respect the role of the ICJ as an independent court of law.

PRC urged States to file a Declaration of Intervention with the ICJ to prevent further genocidal violence being committed.