A lawyer representing Nicaragua has emphasized the 'urgent' need for Germany to halt arms sales to Israel, citing concerns that such weapons could implicate the country in alleged genocide in Gaza. Nicaragua has petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue provisional measures, including an immediate suspension of Germany's military aid to Israel.
During the hearing at the ICJ, it was clarified that Nicaragua is not accusing Germany of directly committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza but rather failing in its duty to prevent and suppress such crimes. The lawyer highlighted the Genocide Convention's Article 3, which deems complicity in genocide as a punishable offense, suggesting that Germany's military support to Israel could fall under this category.
Nicaragua's ambassador to the Netherlands accused German military companies of benefiting financially from the conflict, noting a rise in their share prices during the Gaza war. It was asserted that Germany should be aware that the weapons supplied to Israel are potentially being used in attacks in Gaza, thereby playing a crucial role in Israel's military actions.
As the hearing concluded on Monday, Germany's legal team is now preparing to present its arguments before the court on Tuesday. The case raises complex legal and ethical questions regarding the responsibilities of countries supplying arms in conflict zones and the potential implications of such support on international humanitarian law.
