Israel has called allegations that it is carrying out a state-sponsored genocide of the Palestinian people as false as "grossly distorted". David Doyle has more. Israel has rejected accusations of a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian people as false and "grossly distorted". At the International Court of Justice on Friday (January 12), it also urged judges to throw out the genocide case brought by South Africa. "If there have been acts that may be characterized as genocidal, then they have been perpetrated against Israel." At hearings on Thursday (January 11), South Africa asked the court to impose emergency measures ordering Israel to halt its military campaign. But on Friday, the Israeli foreign ministry's legal adviser, Tal Becker, said to do so would leave Israel defenseless. “It is respectfully submitted that the application and request should be dismissed for what they are: a libel, designed to deny Israel the right to defend itself according to the law from the unprecedented terrorist onslaught it continues to face, and to free the 136 hostages Hamas still holds." Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas militants. Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage. South Africa argued that Israel's subsequent bombardment of the Palestinian enclave - killing well over 23,000 people according to Gaza health authorities - aimed to bring about "the destruction" of Gaza's population. However, Becker put forward that Israel's war was against Hamas and not the Palestinian people and that the key component of genocide - the intent to destroy a people in whole or part - was "totally lacking". That, Israel argued, meant the ICJ has no jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention to order a halt to its military actions. However, South Africa's justice minister Roland Lamola said Israel had failed to disprove his country's case. "Self defence is no answer to genocide. Nothing can ever justify genocide. There is no balancing exercise as Israel has sought to suggest. The prohibition is absolute." Outside the court, Palestinian backers marched with flags and watched proceedings on a giant screen. Israeli supporters also held a gathering of family members of hostages taken by Hamas. The court is expected to rule on possible emergency measures later this month. However, a ruling on the genocide allegations could take years. The ICJ's decisions are final and without appeal, but the court has no way to enforce them. #israel #gaza #internationalcourtofjustice The New York Post is your source for breaking news, news about New York, sports, business, entertainment, opinion, real estate, culture, fashion, and more. Subscribe to New York Post Sports: https://www.youtube.com/c/nypostsports Catch the latest news here: https://nypost.com/ Follow The New York Post on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/nypost Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NYPost