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Ireland will formally intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this month.

The decision to file an intervention at the UN Supreme Court in The Hague will take place later this month, after the government approved the measure on Wednesday.

Ireland will ask the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

The Irish government has also agreed to intervene in the case of Gambia against Myanmar, also under the Genocide Convention.

Tánaiste and Foreign Minister Michel Martin said:

“There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which has left 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced.

“By legally intervening in South Africa’s case, Ireland will ask the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state.”

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After a Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin added: “We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide is leading to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is kept to a minimum.

“The Irish view of the Convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life – as a committed supporter of the Convention, the Government will promote that interpretation in its intervention in this case.

“The intervention in both cases demonstrates the consistency of Ireland’s approach to the interpretation and application of the Genocide Convention.”