The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland has said she expects to 'hear lies' today as Israel responds to accusations of genocide against Palestinians.
The country is in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to defend an allegation made by South Africa over the ongoing war in Gaza.
Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid told Newstalk Breakfast South Africa's submission is a strong one.
"It was a strong step, it was a landmark step taken by South Africa," she said.
"After more than three months of Israel committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, at least South Africa is standing up for humanity and not [seeing] the Palestinians as the international community.
"It is very strong and we're optimistic, and the hearing yesterday was very strong".
'Obvious and clear'
Ambassador Abdalmajid said there has been a collective failing by the international community.
"Leaving the 2.3 million Palestinians facing this geocidal war, this savage war without even taking a decesion to ceasefire, they failed on the Security Council to take this decesion to stop Israel," she said.
"I think South Africa decided to take this case, which is obvious and clear, amid all that was witnessed on the media platforms - the killing of the Palestinians, starvation, the damage.
"Israel targets every single aspect in Gaza - they didn't leave churches, mosques, hospitals - the health system collapsed in Palestine".
'I will hear lies'
Ambassador Abdalmajid said she does not expect to hear the truth from Israel's legal team.
"Israel is the occupying power, an occupying power committing genocide in Gaza," she said.
"As a representative of the Palestinian people, I will hear lies today. I'm not expecting to hear the truth."
Ambassador Abdalmajid said the whole region is inflamed as a result of the war.
"The whole region is flaming because of what's going on in Palestine and against the Palestinian people," she said.
"Many of the countries in the region are trying not to be put in this flame, and they are trying not to take a step to increase this.
"I hope that these countries in the region are trying to manage to stop this; the international community should support these countries as well".
Ireland's support
Ambassador Abdalmajid said she hopes Ireland will join other countries in supporting the South African case.
"Ireland has a long-standing position of supporting the just cause of Palestine," she said.
"I hope that they will consider joining the case within the next weeks or days after the court will issue its ruling," she added.
South Africa, including Irish lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, laid out its case to the judges yesterday.
The country said Israel is committing genocide by design with Ms Ní Ghrálaigh telling the court "huge swathes" of Gaza are being wiped from the map.
"Experts warn that deaths from starvation and disease risk significantly outstripping deaths from bombings," she said.
Ms Ní Ghrálaigh said current figures show, on average, 247 Palestinians are being killed and at-risk of being killed each day - including 48 mothers and 117 children.
She added that the situation has led to the need for a new acronym for Palestinian children: WCNSF - wounded child, no surviving family.
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