the, the, the watching dw news coming to live from berlin. israel faces charges of genocide at the international court of justice, hearing forgetting behavior where self africa is accusing israel, of breaching the new wednes genocide convention allegations. israel calls faceless . also coming up on our show, tie one gears up for elections. the polls are being billed as a battle for democracy, against dictatorship, with the threat from china and regional tensions looming in the background. the

clare richardson, thank you very much for joining us. the international court of justice in the hague has begun hearing accusations of genocide brought by south africa against israel. the case itself could take years bought south africa is also asking the court to order israel to immediately holds its military operations and gaza. south africa has long supported the palestinians linking their struggle to its own history of fighting against apartheid. israel for its part has a strongly denied the claims calling the accusations baseless israel says it just doing all the can to avoid civilian casualties in gaza as it responds to how much this terrorist attack last october. but south africa alleges, not only is this on true, but the israel's campaign is targeting palestinians. so with the aim of wiping the

mouse as a people, and it's more than 80 page filing to the world's cold in the hague. south africa argues accent, emissions by israel, a genocidal in character as they are committed with the requisite specific intent to destroy palestinians and gaza as parts of the broad palestinian national, racial and ethnic group. it goes on to say this constitutes a breached by israel, of its obligations under the genocide convention. a document drawn up in 1948 and the aftermath of the holocaust. which by israel in south africa have signed israel . those states, it has a right to self defense after the bloodiest attack in its history. its officials have renounced with anger to south africa's filing, pointing out but how mass continues to call for the destruction of the jewish state . israel says it will fight back in the cold. the state of israel will appear

before the international court of justice at the hague. to dispel south africa is absurd blood libel. how tragic, but the rainbow nation that prides itself on fighting racism will be fighting pro bono for anti jewish races. palestinians in garza and the rest of the world, we'd be looking closely at the colts response to south africa's request. a provisional routing could come within weeks, but any final judgement is expected to take is let's go 1st to our correspondence. it was the actual 10. joining me today from the hey, was here. tell us more about this 1st day of hearings at the international court of justice. a yes, hey somebody. hey, it's so right now the hearings are going on, south africa's making his case. and it is very, very important to remember that this is right now. the provision in metro, so these hearings are about the question whether the ice j, which is behind me,

is going to order provision a mattress towards each. right or not. because effort has been asking for these kind of provision and measures. they have to ask for flu range and they go from us, can use royalties to immediately stop all military operation in the gaza strip to also allowing who many terry in the systems also for example, um collecting evidence. and so this is what is going on here right now. tomorrow it will be on use for you to give an answer to this. in addition to that immediate request of being made it today, can you tell us about the charges more generally? what exactly is south africa alleging here and how serious are these charges? so these are of course, very, very serious charges. south africa saying that each friend has been doing x and emissions, which are genocide in character and that they are breach of the genocide convention . the question whether this was the case or not is not what is going to be decided

here today or in the next couple of weeks. it is for a later stage of the proceedings that can take several years to tell us more about that time and you think it will take several years before we see a final when from icy j. and yes, that is the case. it is also the case because i have been talking to legal experts before and to to prove the special intent which is needed for a genocide charge. it is a special intent that the person acting or the country acting in this case, once to destroy the whole group. in this case, it would be dependents to use in a whole or group of these people. that is a very, very difficult thing to prove. and this is also why these kind of proceedings difficult and also very lensky. so the i, c j is, is supposed to take a couple of years on this. let's hear shelton at the, hey, thank you very much for that update.

and let's get the perspective from south africa from our correspondent diane hawk, are joining me today from johannesburg. diane, tell us what is behind south africa's decision to bring this case to the i c. j accusing israel, a violating the un genocide convention. most of africa believes it has a responsibility for a number of reasons. the 1st being that it is a signatory to the a genocide convention and he joined that convention in 1994 just shortly off to so africa obtained its own a democratic state. and the 2nd reason that the south african government has as put forward is so that because own cost of having lived through the segregation and discrimination under the apartheid state. and so the african believes that there is an affinity between what happened to south africa and what is happening in gaza.

and has decided to bring that forward a to the international court of justice and raising a number of issues as, as summarized by my colleague, they tell us more about that history and south africa's support and, and solidarity for the palestinian cause. so the sort of dirty up the, it goes back a number of years as far back to nelson mandela's period as a liberation, a fight to. we know that for example, nelson mandela spoke out quite strongly saying that south africa could never fully be free. if the people of palestine were not free and that is a sentiment that is carried forward in the current a government and also a sentiment that is felt by a number of south africans who have continued to to show that support and

solidarity for the palestinian people and i understand that this case certainly has domestic repercussions in south africa itself. but how united would you say the different political parties within south africa are in its approach here to take this to the icy j as well. this is the, the routing amc supports the decision of the government and when it comes to opposition, politics and just the individuals that definitely is a divide. if you look at, for example, today these, these been to be a support march that's held in take time. and that will be attended by a number of people who are in support of this move, members of the jewish community will be in attendance and also members of the muslim community, as well as other people from all walks of life. and that will be held in cape town on the opposite, opposing in however, they all political parties, such as the african christian democratic party, which has said that's of africa,

should not have taken this case to quote and instead saying that some effort could, could have played a different role, but they believe that they could have been to move constructive approach if some african had chosen to rob to speak to him us and, and encourage them to, to, to release the, the hostages that are currently still held. the south african jewish board of deputies as well is concerned about this approach, saying that they don't believe that's of africa should have gone to these these lives and that they could have brought the acted as mediators in this conflict. and thank you so much for providing that perspective. as our correspondent fan hawker and janice burge and let's not get the view from israel with each of these correspond antonio kramer and jerusalem. atanya tell us more of what israel's response has been to south africa's filing as well. certainly there's lots of attention being paid now to the 1st day of the hearing. no one's

south africa snow laying out their arguments as well. the solo on friday. and one of the things that was pointed out to some commentators is how important it is for israel is to be the of openness. the israel is a party to the genocide convention, but they have a pointed, very permanent, a former supreme court, a president and judge to lay out their arguments, no is well, has firmly and very strongly rejected the accusations they're saying they're simply defending the countries defending itself after the terror attacks perpetrated by extreme his groups such as from us and other minutes in groups in gaza. and this is echoed by the many statements that were made in the past weeks. uh, one of them by the president heard so crusade this. these claims are atrocious, and this is also a defensive mentor, the sense of it in the country that actually instead of putting

a israel uh on the stand on try, it should be the perpetrators of october 7th. that should be on trial antonio. one of the big questions is, what kind of actual impact a court ruling could have here? south africa we've heard is asking for the court to impose binding preliminary orders on israel, including a halt to its operations in gaza. but how likely would israel be to abide by such an icy j decision as well? it's certainly a too early to tell. and as you said, now it's about this provision. the meshes the decision could come very soon and, you know, some experts here have been saying then as well could be under a lot of pressure actually to comply and then also to stop, you know, the large scale military operations. but it's not quite clear what the country or will do. it could also ignore it, but it would then risk it to be isolated. also to put it's all life,

such as the united states under pressure. i think it is still too early to tell what is relevant. do then tonya, thank you so much for that. and that is tanya kramer in jerusalem for us. meanwhile the palestinian red crescent as for paramedics, have been killed, and it is rarely air sprite on an ambulance. and gaza is roland, says that as targeting come off, the radical is one. this group classified as a terrorist organization by several countries, including germany. a daily reality team, gaza people riding in panic. after rain is really air strikes. the attack had a 2 story building in the central city of their l. bala and the people were queueing to receive aid at the school they were headed. 20 martyrs were buried at the school with that and they show in this hospital in the same area,

paramedics burst into tears as they recognized their colleagues. 4 of them were killed after and these really strikes cheap. there were ambulance. this is death. move actually the i'm of them were being directly targeted. so we won't be able to save the lives of the wounded village above we said many times before the ambulances will be moving, but it looks like they want to stop patients being saved because of this direct air strike in response to draw, we need through national pressure on monday, each real place that it would shift to a more targeted campaign in gaza with the fighting appears to be as intense as before. with no indication these really government is planning to pause this campaign. as well as no intentional, permanently occupying gaza or displacing it civilian population as well as finding

how much terrace not the palestinian population. and we are doing so in full compliance with the international law, with calls from washington to protect civilian lives in gaza. the stop diplomat continues his tour of the region. on wednesday, anthony blink and med probably student present might come with a bus in the occupied west back. we talked as well about the importance of reforming the outstanding authority policy and governance so that it can effectively take responsibility regardless that the so that the gaza and the west bank can be reunited under a palestinian leadership blinking force trip to the region since october ends in egypt on thursday, his main declared task has been to stop the conflict from spreading. but a week of meetings with the regions most powerful leaders has no ease the suffering

of civilians and gossip. from war on this, i'd like to welcome. he bought a tv in amman, she's the regional director of his you mana terry and organization care. thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us. i understand israel has pledged to shift to a more targeted campaign. it also says that it is working to facilitate more aid reaching gaza. are you seeing a difference on the ground with your organization? to thank you so much for asking this question. and unfortunately the situation continues to be very, very dire and harsh. the discard, beyond catastrophic. there is an out of all of basic human dictating systems on this trend 7 on food 11 wanted to or, and medicaid support the supplies and shifted items. and one of those i need on

massive amounts of need for those wants to see if it's been happening. and this means that people are able to soften and to secure the basic requirements and needs. unfortunately, i can't describe in between them. and then he pulls that, you have just showing where it says the kind of situation with these very harsh images continued to be the day the dial off of people. got so and, and you're hearing what exactly is the problem with a distribution? is it a lack of deliveries that we're seeing from the international community, or are you facing checks at the border a carried out by israel's army or this shouldn't seasons the combination unfortunately, also uses the aid that then nancy checks the approved items. the ability to distribute asked to, to entry roof and because of the seas environment because of the lack of fuel to

each different areas of, of gaza. the restrictions on our combination of different factors that are on the 8th and reaching out to the people who are in the and unfortunately s, these for you. this is when you see all of us, all of the organizations working on human, entered in just phones because things these fire that allows us with the consistency of the systems to go on to the saving lives at this stage, only to see that on. so we have heard that call for a cease fire from multiple 8 organizations, not just yours. i'm curious that short of a cease fire coming into place. are there other conditions that could be present or that could be made presence that would at least make your work easier inside of gaza? so i wouldn't just explain to you, for instance, what my team is going through and our partners because we work with many boxes. and what do we focus on on and medicaid supported and went to college and gets in

addition to not food items like small structural stands and checked as for, for the winter time, they are putting their, their own company's needs and requirements assign. we are trying to reach out to the differentiators inside. and the same thing that you went checked as basically, and they are trying to as much as possible. what do you need, but delivery that is as close as possible to the distribution points, safe environment, more fuel and ends in a, in a situation that would allow us to jumpstart, at the distribution. the materials wouldn't make it much easier. no ceasefire is going to be yet and very soon. thank you so much for speaking with us. that is a bit tv from care. we really appreciate your time today. thank you. thank you. you can turn out to some other stories making world news headlines. flooding in the

democratic republic of congo has destroyed at tens of thousands of houses around the capital. can shasta water levels in the congo river have reached their highest and almost 60 years, heavy rains and flash floods until nearly 300 people in recent months. pop on your guinea has declared a state of emergency after looting and arson in the capital kills at least 15 people. violence broke out important words beat. when police went on strike, overpay prime minister a james morabe has called for com, saying that pay cuts were caused by a glitch. and at germany's born minister and elaina bare block has condemned china's aggressive behavior in the south china sea. during her visit to the philippines, airball criticized china is territorial claims in the region and has called for a political solution. un court rejected beijing's claims to disputed territories in 2016 with just 2 days until elections and taiwan at

3 parties are gearing up for a showdown that will shape the islands relations with china. the ruling democratic progressive party are leading the polls. they've used to their time and power to strength and ties with the us. they're facing the opposition nationalist party that wants to build stronger relations with beijing. a many voters are more concerned with economic problems. of the tie one people's party has joined the race focus on issues like affordable housing and job security. and both the presidency and the legislature are up for grabs. do you have these, james tater met. some of the candidates were running for office this morning. rosellan inside pain and today of campaigning has begun early that some boy you and that's the place of candidates for ty, ones, routing party, the democratic progress of to h, as in power policy is bidding for historic stud successive time in office. they say

all position policies would be too soft on china and say, this selection is fundamentally a choice between paging. let dictate to ship um 2 more. so this is a grocery deployment needs democracy. they say, hold off, i don't want to kill in a sweep, is that constituency chancing with locals about the future? i don't the most people in taiwan at the base is want to an election looks. 4 and feels like kind of the local morning markets meeting with both as a shaking hands. support those very far away from any tensions and paging for those sometimes and never fall from the front of boats as mines. in recent use, china has been ramping up a military threats and propaganda like this. as the d p p under president, tying one has strength and ties within us. the parties candidates for the top job, current vice president lighting to says the firm rejection of china is the only way

taiwan can protect its democracy. hard pressed in time when comes when again, due to time limits. china seized light is more determined to declare independence, despite sim, saying that's not his plan, or the chinese president shooting opinions since once he calls reunification of taiwan with china using that score by mid a true force if necessary. to do this. oh they always use that for sure. we're going to montana safety and the status quo this region. but i don't think this should be something that owned sales for many across the taiwan conflict, the china is fields close to the never members of taiwan is may not position policy the going don. okay. mc like limitation planes, at least in punch the current government. because with the gross puppy closer with atlanta, p,

just keep pushing china away far away as possible. that's kind of the way how to treat the one that really has around you. lean is running to tie one's legislature in the northern port city of g, on reports on the latest chinese activity in the taiwan straits from the bank jump to the stay of campaigning in the cities. the local market leaving says taiwan needs to strike at best a balance between its relations with the us. in china, his policy would reopen trade tools with aging, which in any case is taiwan is biggest trading partner. we don't have to like a business partner. we may have a company with all business partners, but you have to show them the proper respect. and that's something that came to use . presidential candidates, former policeman, hawaii plans to do china, and like the fave of the kmc, when believing is, will take a friendly a stone, some cross straight ties. but the parties approach alienates many younger votes is to fade tie one solvency could be eroded again,

there is and one of the things that i can see has historically struggled with is attracting young votes, is just you feel like that's still the case of the selection i think m t right now they're trying to speak the truth and try to speak to the language that the younger generation calendars that i think was important, which i, that's why maybe this evening. not yet a mile appear. now you, in this selection does a new policy looking to do just sense to appeal to the many people tired of traditional political divisions. the savvy social media strategy of a time on people's policy. what c p p is proving popular with young ty, when he spoke to many people in taiwan are so fed up with the whole 2 parties. mt, mtv b. don't have the ability to govern. so i want to make the legislative candidates. leo e says she joined the t p. p to tackle tie wants domestic issues like color, wages,

height, house prices, an imagery secure. this is a really big night for you. all the different states are insane. here in utah, pain has been won by the ruling policy, the democratic progressive party, every time since the constituency was found. and so the people that she's missing with the people that she's shaking hands with are exactly the people that she is going tops. convincing with c p. p is going to have to convince if they're going to be able to change a lot to map this election at least as an emphasis on domestic issues as programmatic. and that too much attention is being spent on what she says is a stalemate. situation with china, if that's a deadline that you have that, that you are, you cannot stop right now. then why are you just focusing on that? you should be more practical use to solve the problem, then you can solve right now. what's the cost of it? htp does have, if you $1.00 relations jane formula that presidential candidate co winchell,

i used to be a mayor of taipei. he says he wants to, i want to be a bridge between the us and china. no, it's a source of confrontation. but critics say his position is similar to that of the k mc tie when these folks is phase, the choice between 3 policies and 3 visions for ty, ones, future. do p, p says it's a vote for democracy against chinese dictates said the k n t. all use it's considered a tree approach, will lower the risk of war. and the t p. p. cells itself is the voice of low moving looks, domestic concerns, while also offering a hand to beijing, which is of the lumen over this democracy is the threats of chinese attack. the fundamental question facing ty, with these boxes, is who can best prevent that from happening? well, it's winter here in europe, and that means people are lacing up their escapes and taking to the ice and berg and norway, a lake has been transformed into a giant skating rink. the water freezes over most years,

but it's rare that the ice is safe and sick enough for ice skating. locals are making the most of this magical opportunity a home and that is your news update at this hour. i'm clear. richardson in berlin. thanks so much for watching the

sweden. m a sorry hun visits, the grave of his son who was killed and the conflict between guides to the gun violence is spreading throughout the country. what is the swedish government doing? the focus on 0 d w. through the china's favorites,

probably knowing your billions and loan motor infrastructure, investment serbia, is the bridge had for china as news of the critics or warning of too much dependence and control china's influence in 45 minutes on d. w. the it shouldn't be this warmed here. it's like summer conditions in the middle of april. hard not to feel that something really is happening here. what is happening to grievance on a team of researchers wants to find out exactly how to think about.

i see you have to listen and in google review, it's secrets. thoughts january twelve's on d, w. the hello and the very one. welcome to this week, citizen of focus on europe with show we begin today's program in sweden, where authorities are trying to get control over storing gang violence, oregon. his crime is affecting more and more people in sweden or sorry home, for example, had to face a bigger loss in his family. now his wishes that authorities do more to protect citizens from criminal's swedish social workers also play an important role in

prevention work, but it's a re.