Germany asks ICJ to dismiss Nicaragua's Gaza genocide case

Germany is asking the International Court of Justice in The Hague to dismiss Nicaragua’s case accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide and violating international humanitarian law by supplying military support to Israel during the Gaza war. Germany has filed preliminary objections challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of Nicaragua’s claims, arguing that the lawsuit should be rejected before the underlying allegations are considered. Nicaragua previously sought emergency measures to halt German aid and arms shipments to Israel, but the court rejected that request in April 2024 while allowing the broader case to continue. Germany has described the lawsuit as grossly biased and says its arms exports to Israel undergo strict scrutiny, while Nicaragua argues that Berlin’s support is incompatible with preventing genocide. The four-day hearings will include arguments from both countries, after which the court could dismiss the case or allow it to proceed to a review of its merits, a decision that typically takes about six months.