Belgium files a declaration of intervention in the ICJ proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court (South Africa v. Israel)

Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel)

Belgium files a declaration of intervention in the proceedings
under Article 63 of the Statute of the Court

THE HAGUE, 23 December 2025. Today, Belgium, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).

Pursuant to Article 63 of the Statute, whenever the construction of a convention to which States other than those concerned in the case are parties is in question, each of these States has the right to intervene in the proceedings. If a State exercises this right, the construction given by the judgment of the Court will be equally binding upon it.

In availing itself of the right of intervention conferred by Article 63, Belgium relies on its status as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 9 December 1948 (the “Genocide Convention”). Belgium contends that the construction of Articles I, II, III, IV, V and VI appears to be in question in the case. It focuses its intervention on Article II and, in particular, on the interpretation of the specific intent required under that provision (dolus specialis or genocidal intent).

In accordance with Article 83 of the Rules of Court, South Africa and Israel have been invited to furnish written observations on the declaration of intervention.

The full text of Belgium’s declaration of intervention is also available on the Court’s website.

To learn more about all ICJ cases related to the question of Palestine, click here to visit the dedicated webpage.