Representatives from 52 countries are presenting arguments at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. South Africa accused Israel of apartheid against Palestinians and called for the end of Israel’s “illegal occupation” during the second day of hearings. The representative stated that Israel’s actions are a form of apartheid and settler colonialism, and that South Africa has a special obligation to speak out against this injustice. South Africa has also lodged a separate case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of “genocide” in its attacks on Gaza. The ICJ has been asked to review the “occupation, settlement and annexation, including discriminatory measures in Jerusalem.” Israel, home to 500,000 Jewish settlers and three million Palestinians, has continued to build illegal settlements and South Africa told the court that these actions violate the Palestinian right to self-determination. Palestinian representatives also called on the ICJ to declare the occupation illegal, stating that this could contribute to a two-state solution and lasting peace. Israel has declined to attend the hearings, stating that an advisory opinion could be harmful to achieving a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state and stated that discussions at the ICJ are not legitimate.