A Technicality Could Sink South Africa's Genocide Case vs. Israel At The Hague

In its defense last Friday before the World Court against allegations by a country that it is committing genocide in Gaza and must be stopped, a nation made a legal argument that could torpedo the case if the court buys it. In order for a claim to reach the International Court of Justice, there must be an established dispute between two states. This nation’s argument is that such a dispute was never established and thus the ICJ lacks jurisdiction to hear the claim. There would be a political outcry if the court decides to dismiss the case on this technicality. But given the pressure the Court is feeling from other nations, it might be the best way for the Court to escape without having to decide on the genocide accusation.