On 12 January, the day commemorating the 1904 revolt of the Herero people against German colonialism, Olaf Scholz’s government announced that Germany would support Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case. This decision has sparked strong condemnation from the Russian Foreign Ministry, who accuses Berlin of backing Israel and Ukraine in their respective wars. Germany’s alignment with Israel on the issue of the war in Gaza, which some believe constitutes genocide against the Palestinians, has caused disagreement with Namibia. Meanwhile, Russia has downplayed the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish people, describing it as a mass extermination of “various” groups. Namibia’s president, Hage Geingob, has criticized Germany’s support of Israel in the ICJ, while Canada faces scrutiny over its role in the quest for justice and historical accountability.

Germany’s Support for Israel at the ICJ

Germany’s decision to back Israel at the ICJ came on 12 January, a significant day that marks the rebellion of the Herero people against German colonial rule in 1904. This move has drawn criticism from Russia, who claims that Berlin supports Israel and Ukraine in their respective wars. The war in Gaza is at the center of the dispute, with Germany joining Israel in denying that it constitutes genocide against the Palestinians. Namibia, however, disagrees with Germany’s position and has expressed its discontent. President Hage Geingob has criticized Germany for supporting Israel’s case at the ICJ, questioning the lessons that Germany has learned from its own history.

In the larger context, the global call for justice and historical accountability has put the role of countries like Germany, Namibia, and Canada under scrutiny. Germany’s alignment with Israel has raised questions about its motives, with some suggesting that Germany supports Israel for the same reasons that it created Hitler, although this claim remains controversial.

Russia’s downplaying of the Holocaust’s impact on Jewish people has caused outrage and further strained relations between Germany and Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argues that unconditional support for the Israeli occupation is a prerequisite for participating in the ICJ genocide case.

Amidst these developments, Lucas Febraro, an expert in international law, was interviewed by Al Jazeera to provide insight into Germany’s decision to support Israel at the ICJ. Additionally, Irish firebrand politician Michael Wallace has expressed his support for President Hage Geingob’s stance. Wallace, a member of the European Parliament, has thrown his weight behind Namibia’s criticism of Germany.

As the controversy unfolds, there is a growing recognition that countries in the global South are often denied a voice in Europe and North America. The situation highlights the need for a broader discussion on justice, accountability, and the role of powerful nations in international affairs.

• Germany announces its support for Israel at the ICJ genocide case on the commemoration day of the Herero revolt against German colonialism.
• Russian Foreign Ministry condemns Germany for supporting Israel and Ukraine in their respective wars.
• Germany denies that the war in Gaza constitutes genocide against Palestinians, causing disagreement with Namibia.
• Russia downplays the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish people, characterizing it as a mass extermination of various groups.
• Namibia’s president criticizes Germany’s support of Israel at the ICJ, questioning Germany’s ability to draw lessons from history.
• Canada’s role in justice and historical accountability is under scrutiny.
• Lucas Febraro provides an interview shedding light on Germany’s support of Israel at the ICJ.
• Irish MP supports Namibia’s president’s call for Germany to repent.
• The global debate questions Germany, Namibia, and Canada’s accountability and their role in international affairs.
• Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson demands an unconditional support for the Israeli occupation in the ICJ genocide case.