Justice Minister Ronald Lamola clarified that South Africa does not receive any “mandate from Hamas” after presenting the country’s case against Israel at the UN’s top court. Israel accused South Africa of acting as the “legal arm” of Hamas militants.

“We do not have any mandate from Hamas. Our mandate is from the South African government,” Lamola stated outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

He added the case is not against Jewish people but rather actions of the Israeli state in Gaza. Lamola said South Africa’s Jewish community lives in peace.

“The case is about Israel and not the Jewish community,” he remarked.

Lamola vowed that South Africa will keep pursuing durable peace for Palestinians. He argued that global intervention is needed to end “genocide” in Gaza.

“Remaining silent would grossly violate international law. We seek the court to intervene and end the massacre in Gaza,” Lamola said.

The statements came after South Africa accused Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention before the UN court. Top lawyer Adila Hassim said Israel’s bombing has pushed Palestinians “to the brink of famine.”

Lamola emphasised South Africa’s stance comes from its own government, not Hamas directives. As tensions escalated, he differentiated anti-Israel actions from local Jewish relations.