How the US Plans To Punish South Africa For Supporting Palestine in ICJ Case

Throughout history, the United States has held a certain expectation that in times of war, all nations should come to its aid and fight against the common enemy, regardless of if they have anything to do with it or not. It’s almost as if the US assumes that other countries should always be willing to put their own national interests aside for the greater good of the US. This kind of attitude has become a bit of a habit for the US - expecting others to be nice and compromise, while the US pursues its own agenda. But is this really fair? Should the US continue to expect such unwavering loyalty from other nations, without considering their own priorities and interests? However, this time around, South Africa has chosen to resist this pattern, asserting its independence and assuming a leadership role within the African continent. Nevertheless, this decision comes with consequences. By bringing a genocide case against Israel and its allies before the International Court of Justice, South Africa openly challenged the US, effectively issuing a call to battle. After thorough deliberation, the United States has reached the decision to impose consequences on South Africa as a demonstration of what awaits a nation that opposes the United States and its partners. However, what measures does the United States intend to take in order to administer a severe punishment on South Africa, and will these efforts yield the desired outcome? Let us explore and ascertain. This unprecedented decision has left the international community curious about the nature and effectiveness of the punishment. Recent news reveals that a bill has been introduced in the United States Congress, aiming to reassess the relationship between the United States and South Africa. The bill, prompted by the International Court of Justice’s suggestion of potential acts of genocide committed by Israel against Gaza, serves as a clear message to South Africa about the United States’ intentions. By presenting this bill at such a critical juncture, it becomes evident that South Africa is being held accountable for its refusal to support Israel and for its legal actions against this decision. Notably, this bipartisan bill signifies that both political parties in the United States have united in their stance against South Africa. The gathering of these two factions serves as evidence that all U.S. stakeholders are in agreement when it comes to South Africa. If this bill finally takes effect, it could potentially impact South Africa’s eligibility for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. However, before the bill can take effect, it must go through the process of discussion and approval by Congress. So, what does the bill entail? Essentially, within 30 days of its enactment, U.S President Joe Biden is obligated to certify to the appropriate congressional committees and publicly disclose an unclassified determination that explicitly states whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. In other words, the United States aims to assume the role of judge, jury, and executioner against South Africa, similar to what occurred during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is astonishing to discover that the bill itself reveals how the United States can exert pressure and manipulate other nations. In the realm of international affairs, every country possesses sovereignty and the authority to make decisions based on its own preferences, including choosing sides in any given conflict. #SouthAfricaIcj, #Icj