Key facts
- Nicaragua is arguing at the ICJ that Germany's arms exports to Israel violate the Genocide Convention.
- Nicaragua claims Germany should have known there was a serious risk of genocide and should have taken measures to prevent it.
- Germany has asked the ICJ to dismiss the case, citing jurisdictional issues.
- Nicaragua's case builds on South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
- Israel denies genocide allegations, stating its campaign targets Hamas.
Nicaragua is presenting its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing that Germany's arms exports to Israel violate the 1948 Genocide Convention and humanitarian law. Nicaragua contends that Berlin should have been aware of a serious risk of genocide and failed to take reasonable measures to prevent it. Germany, Israel's second-largest weapons supplier after the U.S., has requested the ICJ dismiss the case, citing jurisdictional and procedural grounds. Nicaragua's legal action follows South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide, where the ICJ previously found it plausible that Israel violated rights under the convention. Israel denies the genocide allegations, stating its military operations are aimed at Hamas. A ruling on Germany's objection to jurisdiction is anticipated later this year, with a final decision on the merits expected to take years.