Israeli President Isaac Herzog said today Tuesday that “there is nothing more heinous and absurd” from the appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in its operation in Gaza.

The hearing procedure in the context of the appeal, made from south africa, is expected to begin the day after tomorrow, Thursday, and will focus on the many civilians among the more than 23,000 people Gaza health authorities say have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas, which has raged for more than three months.

Speaking to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who is visiting Israel, Herzog accused South Africa of hypocrisy over its move, and thanked Washington for its support for Israel, which says it is doing its best not to have civilian casualties in Gaza.

“Actually our enemies, Hamas, in their charter, they call for the destruction of our state, the State of Israel – the only nation-state of the Jewish people,” Herzog said.

“We will be there at the International Court of Justice and proudly present our case for the use of self-defense based on our most inherent right under international humanitarian law.”

Israel must win, says Herzog, “because it is a war that affects international values ​​and the values ​​of the free world.”