WATCH: ‘ICJ case never came up’ in meeting with Trump, says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel “did not come up” with US President Donald Trump during the working lunch at the White House.

Ramaphosa met Trump on Wednesday. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Trump on ICJ case

During the open bilateral talks with the media present, Trump was asked by a South African journalist in the Oval Office whether he expected Pretoria to drop its case against Israel at the ICJ.

“I don’t expect anything to be honest. I don’t know. They’ve got a case. There’s a lot of anger… We’ll have a ruling, and who knows what the ruling is going to mean.”

WATCH President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking about the ICJ case

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza “did not come up” with US President Donald Trump during the working lunch at the White House. #ICJ #CyrilRamphosa #DonaldTrump @TheCitizen_News Vid: Newzroom Afrika pic.twitter.com/8PB9QnPNyZ

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‘No discussions on ICJ’

Ramaphosa said he and Trump never discussed the ICJ case in private.

“We got an impression that President Trump’s approach to the ICJ is that, you know, let the process unfold, but at the same time to focus on peace building in the Middle East, precisely what we complimented him on. We said we compliment you for the efforts that you’re making to build peace, because we, as South Africa, also want to be part of that process.

“We want to be part of that process, even between Israel and Palestine, to be able to participate in a peace-building process, so that in the end, there should be peace between Israel and its neighbouring countries, particularly Palestine.  So, the ICJ issue did not arise during the launch,” Ramaphosa said.

Depriving Gaza

Last month, South Africa told the ICJ that Israel is deliberately depriving the people of Gaza of humanitarian aid and condemning an entire civilian population to starvation.

South Africa was one of 40 countries that delivered remarks before the ICJ to gauge Israel’s responsibility for the humanitarian crisis engulfing Gaza during its war against Hamas.

In its initial application, South Africa submitted an 84-page application at the ICJ on 29 December 2023, pleading with the court to find Israel guilty of suspected genocide and order it to, among other things, halt its invasion in Gaza.

Since launching the case at the ICJ, South Africa has approached the court four times, requesting interim measures to halt Israel’s attacks on the occupied territory.

Despite three orders being granted in South Africa’s favour, they have had little to no impact on all forms of Israel’s attacks on Palestinian life, essential services and the need for humanitarian aid.

ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza ‘by design’ — South Africa addresses ICJ