Germany seeks to quash Nicaragua genocide case at ICJ

Germany is asking the International Court of Justice in The Hague to throw out a case brought by Nicaragua, which accuses Berlin of facilitating genocide through its support for Israel.

German lawyers are due to open four days of hearings on Monday. Nicaragua will respond before both countries address the court again on Wednesday and Thursday.

Nicaragua brought the case in 2024 after the start of Israel's offensive in Gaza. It asked ICJ judges to order Germany to halt all aid to Israel, especially military equipment.

The court rejected Nicaragua's request for emergency measures in April 2024, saying the circumstances at the time did not justify such orders. The wider case remained open.

Germany has filed preliminary objections to the ICJ's jurisdiction and to the admissibility of some of Nicaragua's claims. The detail of Germany's argument has not yet been made public.

The court could side with Germany and dismiss the case, or reject Berlin's objections and allow the case to proceed to a fuller examination on the merits. Rulings in such preliminary cases take about six months on average.

Nicaragua has accused Germany of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. Germany strongly denies the accusations and has said its arms trade with Israel is subject to detailed scrutiny.

The case is separate from another ICJ case in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, an accusation Israel denies. ICJ rulings are binding, but the court has no power to enforce them.