US Is Next: South African Minister's Remarks on ICC

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South African Minister's ICC Comments on Israel Draw Criticism and Raise Concerns

 

South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor's recent remarks endorsing the prosecution of Israeli leaders by the International Criminal Court (ICC) have sparked controversy and drawn criticism. Addressing an audience at a mosque in Cape Town, Pandor supported US House Speaker Mike Johnson's assertion that the United States could be next if the ICC targets Israel, a stance that has been seen by many as aligning South Africa with radical anti-Israel sentiment.

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor in a Cape Town Mosque: America is next - Countries and Officials That Fund Israel’s War Machine Will Be Liable for ICC Prosecution; Class Actions Planned for Foreign Citizens Serving in the IDF; I… pic.twitter.com/4gf3gYIdgi

— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) May 30, 2024

 

"Speaker Johnson said that if the ICC is allowed to threaten Israel's leaders, then we know that America will be next. Our response is: Of course!" Pandor declared, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). Dressed in a black and white checkered keffiyeh and standing before a Palestinian flag, Pandor's remarks were delivered in a setting that highlighted her alignment with pro-Palestinian rhetoric, raising eyebrows among international observers and critics.

 

Johnson's original warning, made during a press conference, emphasized the potential dangers of allowing the ICC to pursue legal actions against Israeli leaders, suggesting it could set a precedent for similar actions against US officials. "If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israel’s leader, we know that America will be next," he said. US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), speaking in Tel Aviv, echoed this concern: "The same model they're using to come after Israel and the IDF, they will use against us."

The speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, plans to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He warned that, if the ICC prosecutes Israeli officials, "we know that America will be next".

Rejecting international law, he said the US and Israel "don't… pic.twitter.com/BYVhoYlxDP

— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) May 28, 2024

 

Pandor’s endorsement of these potential ICC actions against Israel and her inflammatory rhetoric have been criticized for potentially inflaming tensions rather than promoting dialogue or peace. Her claim that countries and officials supporting Israel in its conflict with Hamas would also be liable for prosecution is seen by many as an attempt to undermine international efforts to maintain stability and security in the region. "Nations and officials who support Israel’s war against Hamas will be liable for prosecution as well," she stated, furthering a narrative that some argue could embolden extremist elements.

 

Pandor's remarks also included a personal expression of solidarity with Gaza, which some critics argue detracts from her role as a diplomat supposed to foster international cooperation and peace. "I would wish I were shoulder to shoulder with the men and women in Rafah. That is where I feel I should be," she told the Cape Town mosque audience. Such statements have drawn criticism for being more aligned with militant rhetoric rather than constructive diplomacy.

 

 

Moreover, her response to criticisms of not being radical enough – recounting that she receives emails urging her to lead a jihad – has been seen as particularly alarming. In a world where diplomatic language is critical, Pandor’s use of such rhetoric raises questions about South Africa’s commitment to balanced and peaceful international relations.

 

The minister's announcement that a group of 140 international lawyers is preparing a class action suit against non-Israelis serving in the Israeli military, including South Africans, further illustrates a shift towards a more confrontational stance that many believe could isolate South Africa on the global stage.

 

These developments reflect a troubling trend in South African foreign policy under Pandor's leadership, where rhetoric and actions seem increasingly geared towards radical positions rather than fostering peace and understanding. Critics argue that such positions risk alienating key international partners and could undermine South Africa's standing in the international community.

 

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Credit: JP Post - X -  2024-06-01

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

As reported on Al Jazeera, Ireland and Spain have joined the Sth African case in the ICC. I expect more Western states will follow.

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/6/which-countries-have-joined-south-africas-case-against-israel-at-the-icj