SEAToday.com, Barcelona - Spain announced on Thursday (6/6/2024) that they will join the genocide case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel over its attack in Gaza. With this move, Spain will be the first European country to join the case.

The move came a week after Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, officially recognized Palestine. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said they seek for peace to return to Gaza and the Middle East. “Our sole goal is to put an end to the war and to advance on the road of applying the two-state solution,” stated Albares.

The case was filed by South Africa late last year, accusing Israel of breaching the genocide convention in its military assault in Gaza. The court had issued three provisional measures to curb death and destruction in Gaza, the latest being issued on May 24. 

It orders Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza, and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and workers. Israel, however, hasn’t shown any compliance or sign of doing so.