Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Friday and thanked him for Germany's rejection of claims heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, CNN reports.
"Your stance and Germany's stance on the side of the truth moves all citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu told Scholz, according to a statement from his office.
The Israeli leader described the case brought by South Africa to the court as “full of hypocrisy and malice,” adding that it “must not be allowed to prevail over the moral principles shared by our two countries and the entire civilized world."
Netanyahu also thanked Scholz for Germany's decision to join discussions at the ICJ as a third party, which effectively signaled Berlin’s readiness to play an active role supporting Israel at the court.
On Friday, the German government said it “expressly rejects” allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Germany would intervene as a third party before the ICJ under an article allowing states to seek clarification on the use of a multilateral convention.
The second and final day of hearings at the ICJ wrapped on Friday. Israel argued that its war in Gaza was fought in self-defense and was targeting Hamas.
The previous day, South Africa alleged Israel’s leadership was “intent on destroying the Palestinians as a group in Gaza" and seeking to “bring about the destruction of its Palestinian population.”
