Israel-Hamas war: Chile joins South African case against Israel for Gaza genocide before ICJ

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile has joined a group of countries supporting a genocide case against Israel filed last year at the International Court of Justice.

President Gabriel Boric said in a speech to lawmakers on Saturday that he was appalled by the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, particularly against women and children. He accused the Israeli army of using “indiscriminate and disproportionate” force.

“These actions demand a firm and permanent response from the international community,” the president said.

South Africa last year accused Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, for violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Israel strongly rejected this claim and maintained that the war in Gaza is self-defense against Hamas militants following their October 7 attack in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.

Chile is home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East, with a population of around 500,000, many of whom are descendants of 19th and 20th century Christian Arab immigrants. They took root in the South American country as small retail traders, but have since gained prominence in business and politics. One of the country’s most popular football teams is Palestino, whose white, black, green and red uniforms match the colors of the Palestinian flag.

Chile joins a group of mainly developing countries, including Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia, which have joined South Africa’s petition.

Boric, a former left-wing student leader, balanced condemnation of the Hamas attack with fierce criticism of the Israeli military offensive, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not makes no distinction between civilians and combatants in its count.