Namibia rejects Germany's support for Israel
Last week, Namibia threw its support behind South Africa's application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for provisional measures to compel Israel to halt its genocide in Gaza.
Germany, meanwhile, has come out in support of Israel's defence.
On Saturday, President Hage Geingob's office publicly condemned Germany for this stance. The statement was reposted more than 71 000 times on Twitter and garnered over 137 000 likes.
Germany's contribution to the ICJ trial was made on Friday, 12 January, exactly 100 years after Germany initiated the first officially recognised genocide of the twentieth century on Namibian soil in 1904. Geingob expressed shock that Germany seems unable to learn from its horrific history.
‘Cruel acts’
After more than 23 000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and various United Nations reports of the internal displacement of up to 85% of Gaza's civilians, "amid acute shortages of food and essential services, the German government chose to defend the genocides and cruel acts of the Israeli government in the International Court of Justice," the Namibian president wrote.
Germany cannot express moral commitment to the United Nations' Genocide Convention, including reconciliation for the genocide in Namibia, while supporting the equivalent of a massacre and genocide in Gaza, Geingob emphasised.
He reiterated his statement from 31 December: "No peace-loving person can ignore the massacre carried out against Palestinians in Gaza."
He urged Germany to reconsider its stance.
Historical lessons
Namibia's First Lady, Monica Geingos, wrote on X: "The build-up to the Herero-Nama genocide in Namibia, committed by Germany, began on January 12, 1904. The absurdity that Germany, on January 12, 2024, rejects charges of genocide against Israel and warns about the 'political instrumentalisation of the accusation' is not lost on us."
Inna Hengari, an opposition member of parliament, also stated on social media: "The parallel between the tactics Germany used in the Herero and Nama genocide of 1904–1908 and the holocaust is striking. Our historical experience adds a unique dimension to our perspective on global conflicts."
She added: "How can we overlook the lasting impact of Germany's atrocities on the Nama and OvaHerero, given the ongoing remnants of that genocide? Namibia's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from its historical context."
Global spotlight
South Africa is urging the ICJ to compel Israel to cease military operations in Gaza, prevent genocide in Gaza, and allow access to food and water, fuel, housing, clothing, hygiene and sanitation, medicine and medical care for Gaza residents. Additionally, Israel must protect evidence of genocide and collaborate in establishing facts and prosecuting supporters and perpetrators of genocide in Gaza.
Israel is asking the court to reject South Africa's request and dismiss the case from the court's roll.
Germany, meanwhile, has come out in support of Israel's defence.
On Saturday, President Hage Geingob's office publicly condemned Germany for this stance. The statement was reposted more than 71 000 times on Twitter and garnered over 137 000 likes.
Germany's contribution to the ICJ trial was made on Friday, 12 January, exactly 100 years after Germany initiated the first officially recognised genocide of the twentieth century on Namibian soil in 1904. Geingob expressed shock that Germany seems unable to learn from its horrific history.
‘Cruel acts’
After more than 23 000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and various United Nations reports of the internal displacement of up to 85% of Gaza's civilians, "amid acute shortages of food and essential services, the German government chose to defend the genocides and cruel acts of the Israeli government in the International Court of Justice," the Namibian president wrote.
Germany cannot express moral commitment to the United Nations' Genocide Convention, including reconciliation for the genocide in Namibia, while supporting the equivalent of a massacre and genocide in Gaza, Geingob emphasised.
He reiterated his statement from 31 December: "No peace-loving person can ignore the massacre carried out against Palestinians in Gaza."
He urged Germany to reconsider its stance.
Historical lessons
Namibia's First Lady, Monica Geingos, wrote on X: "The build-up to the Herero-Nama genocide in Namibia, committed by Germany, began on January 12, 1904. The absurdity that Germany, on January 12, 2024, rejects charges of genocide against Israel and warns about the 'political instrumentalisation of the accusation' is not lost on us."
Inna Hengari, an opposition member of parliament, also stated on social media: "The parallel between the tactics Germany used in the Herero and Nama genocide of 1904–1908 and the holocaust is striking. Our historical experience adds a unique dimension to our perspective on global conflicts."
She added: "How can we overlook the lasting impact of Germany's atrocities on the Nama and OvaHerero, given the ongoing remnants of that genocide? Namibia's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from its historical context."
Global spotlight
South Africa is urging the ICJ to compel Israel to cease military operations in Gaza, prevent genocide in Gaza, and allow access to food and water, fuel, housing, clothing, hygiene and sanitation, medicine and medical care for Gaza residents. Additionally, Israel must protect evidence of genocide and collaborate in establishing facts and prosecuting supporters and perpetrators of genocide in Gaza.
Israel is asking the court to reject South Africa's request and dismiss the case from the court's roll.
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