South Africa has welcomed the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) relating to its case against Israel calling it a “decisive victory”.
The UN’s top court has just ordered Israel to take a string of emergency measures in Gaza, but stopped short of demanding a ceasefire.
Under the measures Israel has been told to do all in its power to stop genocide there, immediately enable more urgently needed aid to enter the territory, and to prevent and punish the direct incitement of genocide in the conflict.
South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians
Israel however vehemently denies the accusation and is thought likely to ignore orders by the judges, who have no way of enforcing their decision.
It could take years before the ICJ gives a final judgement on the claim of genocide.
Israel’s national airline El Al will stop offering flights to South Africa from the end of March, the airline said on Friday, citing reduced customer demand.
El Al currently has up to two non-stop flights to Johannesburg a week.
“Israelis don’t want to fly to South Africa,” a spokeswoman for the airline said.
“They are cancelling flights and planes are pretty empty… We understand it’s the situation because it was different before,” the spokeswoman added
