South Africa accuses Israel of acting with 'impunity' at ICJ hearings

South Africa opens second day of ICJ arguments: Zane Dangor, director-general of South Africa's Department of International Relations, launched Tuesday's proceedings at the International Court of Justice with strong condemnation of Israel's actions.

Key accusations presented: In his opening statement, Dangor made several critical allegations:

• "Under the world's watchful eye, Palestinians are being subjected to atrocity, crimes, persecution, apartheid and genocide."

• "While we watch, the gaze of Palestinians is directed squarely at the international community."

Claims of Israeli exceptionalism: The South African representative argued:

• We wish to emphasise the impunity with which Israel is inflicting these harms. Israel continues to act with impunity as it does enjoy some form of exceptionalism from accountability to international law and norms.

• Any country or entity which seeks to hold Israel accountable for its inhumane and unlawful actions is subject to countermeasures and sanctions from which the UN and this court has not been spared.

Focus on Unrwa controversy: Dangor connected recent attacks on the UN agency to broader political aims:

• "In this context, the UN and Unrwa is one of the latest casualties of Israel."

• "Unrwa is being attacked to deny the inalienable old right of the return of Palestinian refugees, the restitution of their land and homes appropriated since 1948, and [to] further [Israel's] apartheid policy."

• "The attacks also imperil the existence of Palestinians as a group."