Germany wants Nicaragua’s case over its military support for Israel dismissed. Four days of hearings beginning Monday in The Hague will address the UN court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of certain claims. The International Court of Justice rejected emergency measures to halt aid in 2024 but kept the case open. Accepting Berlin’s preliminary objections could end the case; rejecting them could allow examination of the merits.
Germany will challenge the UN court’s power to hear Nicaragua’s case at hearings opening Monday in The Hague. Berlin’s preliminary objections cover both jurisdiction and the admissibility of certain claims. Nicaragua accuses Germany of facilitating genocide in Gaza through weapons supplies and other military support for Israel. This week’s hearings address whether the case can proceed before examination of the allegations on their merits.[1], [2]
Nicaragua bases its allegations on the Genocide Convention and international humanitarian law. Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States. Speaking for Germany at an earlier hearing, Tania von Uslar-Gleichen told judges that the allegations had no basis in fact or law. Israel is not a party to this case and denies that its Gaza campaign amounts to genocide. Nicaragua’s proceedings against Germany are separate from South Africa’s case against Israel.[1], [2]
In April 2024, the UN court rejected Nicaragua’s emergency request for Germany to halt military and other aid to Israel. The panel of 16 judges nevertheless declined to dismiss the entire case. The new hearings span four days: Germany speaks on Monday, followed by Nicaragua’s response, and the countries address the court again on Wednesday and Thursday. Acceptance of Germany’s objections could end the case; rejection could allow the merits to be examined.[1], [2]
