Should Belize Support South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel? Foreign Affairs Minister Weighs In

Should Belize join South Africa’s genocide case brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice? That’s what Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, was asked after two former Prime Ministers and three former Foreign Ministers, called on the government to do more. This month, South Africa accused Israel of genocide against the people of Palestine following its violent response to the Hamas attack in October last year. The former leaders say Israel’s onslaught, which has resulted in over 1.7 million people being displaced and thousands of civilian deaths, needs to be stopped. Today, Fonseca weighed in on the call for Belize to join South Africa and its possibility. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Let’s be very clear. Belize has taken unprecedented steps. Belize has been a leader in CARICOM on standing up in support of the people of Gaza. As you all know we have suspended relations with Israel, diplomatic relations with Israel so Belize has been very bold, very clear, very principled in it’s position. But we have not made any further decisions about participation at the ICJ in the South Africa case. Obviously it’s something we are monitoring, we are watching along with CARICOM we find that it’s very often best to do these things, to take steps and to take actions in coordination with our CARICOM brothers and sisters that we believe is the most effective approach so we’re monitoring the case but of course we continue to make it very clear that Belize views what is taking place in Gaza as a humanitarian crisis. We repeat our call for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, it’s a very very difficult situation. We see the images every day on our television sets you know innocent people are being killed so there has to be an immediate ceasefire so that we can have a peaceful resolution to what is taking place. No other country in CARICOM took Belize’s position remember that. No other country in CARICOM followed Belize’s lead. We are the only country who has suspended diplomatic relations with Israel in CARICOM. In terms of the case there are specific legal implications that flow from that case. Belize is monitoring that case and we’re watching it very carefully but no one should question Belize’s bold principled position that we have taken on this issue. Belize is a leader on this issue and that should not be questioned.”

Fonseca added that Belize will continue to advocate on behalf of innocent Palestinians caught in the crosshairs of war.