Hearings by the International Court of Justice into South Africa’s allegation that Israel’s war with Hamas amounts to genocide have started in The Hague.

 

 

In its opening statement, South Africa formally accused Israel of committing genocide and asked that the justices order an immediate suspension of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

In a video statement released hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the case and vowed to continue fighting Hamas.

“This is an upside-down world — the state of Israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting genocide, ” before adding ”The hypocrisy of South Africa screams to the heavens.”

Israeli lawyers will deliver their opening remarks Friday, when they’re expected to outline how the country’s fighting an enemy that carried out the deadliest attack on its territory since Israel’s creation 75-years ago.