Germany asks International Court of Justice to dismiss Nicaragua’s Gaza case
In The Hague, Netherlands, Germany will begin presenting its case at the International Court of Justice on September 7, seeking the dismissal of a case brought against it by Nicaragua. Managua claims that Berlin is facilitating genocide through its support for Israel. Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing AFP.
Berlin’s preliminary objections
The hearings will last four days. Germany has filed preliminary objections regarding the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of certain claims made by Nicaragua. Berlin seeks to convince the judges that the court has no authority to hear the case or that Nicaragua’s arguments are unfounded. Details of Germany’s legal position have not yet been disclosed.
After the German side speaks on Monday, Nicaragua will respond. Both countries will also have an opportunity to address the court on Wednesday and Thursday. On average, the court issues decisions on such objections within six months. The court may dismiss the case in full or reject Germany’s objections, after which the proceedings will be considered on their merits.
Course of the case
Nicaragua’s lawsuit is linked to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants. In 2024, Nicaragua asked the court to impose urgent measures and order Berlin to halt all assistance to Israel, including supplies of military equipment.
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In April 2024, the International Court of Justice rejected Nicaragua’s request for emergency measures, stating that the circumstances at the time did not justify such a decision. At the same time, the main proceedings continued.
During hearings in April 2024, Nicaragua’s representatives said that Germany was simultaneously providing aid to Gaza and supplying Israel with weapons. Nicaragua’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Carlos José Argüello Gómez, expressed the view that Germany does not distinguish between self-defense and genocide. Berlin called the lawsuit grossly biased and denied violating the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention of Genocide.
These proceedings are separate from the case in which South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza; Israel rejects these allegations. Decisions of the International Court of Justice are binding, but the court has no authority to forcibly ensure their enforcement.
