Nicaragua has taken legal action against Germany, lodging a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Germany’s financial and military assistance to Israel, along with its withdrawal of funding from the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), violates international law.
In its filing, Nicaragua has urged the ICJ to impose immediate measures to compel Germany to halt its military support to Israel and reverse its decision to defund UNRWA.
The German government has not yet responded to these allegations, and typically, the court schedules a hearing on such emergency measures shortly after a case is filed.
Nicaragua’s argument is based on claims that Germany’s actions contravene the 1948 Genocide Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions concerning the laws of war in the Palestinian territories under Israeli occupation.
Nicaragua contends that by providing military aid to Israel and withdrawing support from UNRWA, which aids Palestinian civilians, Germany is facilitating actions that may amount to genocide.
The case also emphasizes the urgency of the situation, citing Germany’s alleged involvement in potential genocide and serious violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. This legal action builds upon similar claims made by South Africa against Israel, accusing the latter of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The ICJ previously acknowledged South Africa’s claims as plausible and issued emergency measures, including a demand for Israel to refrain from any actions that could constitute genocide in Gaza.
Israel, however, denies these allegations, asserting its right to self-defense. According to the genocide treaty, signatory countries are obligated not only to prevent genocide but also to punish any acts of genocide and complicity in such acts.
Germany, alongside the United States, is among the leading arms exporters to Israel, as noted by U.N. experts.
