Turkey will submit a request to a United Nations tribunal on Wednesday to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel, according to a Turkish official.

The request for intervention will be presented to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Turkey, known for its staunch criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, will be the latest country to seek participation in the case.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has frequently likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, accused Israel of committing genocide, and called for international courts to hold the country accountable. He has also criticised Western nations for their support of Israel.

In May, Turkey halted trade with Israel in response to its assault on Gaza. Unlike Western countries that label Hamas as a terrorist organisation, Erdogan has lauded the group, describing it as a liberation movement.

South Africa initiated the case at the International Court of Justice late last year, accusing Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention through its military actions in Gaza.

Israel has vehemently denied the genocide allegations, asserting that its actions in Gaza were a legitimate defensive response to Hamas militants following their October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.

Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Spain, and Palestinian officials have also requested to join the case. The Court has not yet ruled on these requests. If accepted, these countries will be allowed to submit written observations and participate in public hearings.
Preliminary hearings have already occurred in the case against Israel, but the Court is expected to take several years to reach a final decision.

Since Erdogan assumed power in 2003, Turkey and Israel, once allies, have experienced turbulent relations, characterised by periods of intense conflict and attempts at reconciliation. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has disrupted recent efforts to normalise relations.