A representative of a human rights group based in the UK has written to the ambassador designate of the United States, Brent Bozell III, to alert him to allegations that the South African government had advance notice of Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 – and that its case at the International Court of Justice was part of a coordinated attack.
This is according to a report carried on IOL, which includes claims by some to have seen the correspondence.
Justin Lewis of CASISA, which describes itself as a “human rights lobby group whose purpose is the prevention of court corruption”, stated in a letter dated 27 March that people within the South African government had been aware of what Hamas was planning and were prepared to approach international bodies to protect it from Israel.
His letter stated: “As part of a political strategy, preparations were made before the October 7 atrocity against Israel to set mechanisms in place for approaching the ICC and ICJ for protection from Israel’s anticipated response.”
This would potentially make South Africa complicit in terrorism. If this is true, South Africa could be liable for sanctions.
Chrispin Phiri of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation denied the allegations.
Thus far, proof of these allegations has not been produced.