Nicaragua faces Germany at The Hague over arms supplies to Israel

The International Court of Justice in The Hague is expected to begin hearing Nicaragua’s case against Germany today over arms exports to Israel. Managua accuses Berlin of aiding and facilitating genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

According to Nicaragua’s argument, German arms shipments constitute a violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The country claims that these weapons have been used by the Israeli armed forces during the conflict in Gaza.

Germany has denied the allegations, calling them unfounded. German authorities have also challenged the ICJ’s jurisdiction to hear the case, while Israel is not a party to the proceedings.

The current proceedings are not Germany’s first encounter with such a case at this court. In 2024, Berlin won the initial phase of the proceedings after the ICJ rejected Nicaragua’s urgent request for an immediate halt to arms exports to Israel.

However, the judges rejected Germany’s request to dismiss the case outright, ruling that the proceedings should continue.

During today’s hearing, Germany’s legal team is expected to seek a further suspension of the proceedings, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction. Nicaragua is expected to oppose this position.

It is not yet known when the judges of the United Nations court will issue their decision.

Nicaragua’s case against Germany is the second case related to allegations of genocide in the Gaza Strip being heard by the ICJ. At the end of 2023, South Africa initiated proceedings against Israel, which other states subsequently joined.