Berlin asks ICJ to reject Nicaragua’s genocide case against Germany

Germany is asking the United Nations’ highest court to throw out Nicaragua’s case accusing Berlin of “facilitating genocide” in Gaza by supporting Israel. German lawyers are opening four days of hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The dispute began in 2024, when Nicaragua asked the court to order Germany to stop military assistance to Israel, including the supply of military equipment. The ICJ rejected Nicaragua’s request for emergency measures that April, saying the circumstances at the time did not justify such action. The broader proceedings continued, however, and Germany is now seeking to end them.

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facilitating genocide

Berlin says the judges do not have jurisdiction and that Nicaragua’s arguments are unfounded. In a statement, the court referred to Germany’s “preliminary objections to the court’s lack of jurisdiction and the inadmissibility of certain claims” made by Nicaragua. Germany’s detailed arguments have not yet been made public.

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The difference between self-defense and genocide

After Germany presents its position, Nicaragua will respond. Both countries will then have another opportunity to address the court on Wednesday and Thursday. The court takes an average of six months to rule in cases of this kind. It could accept Germany’s position and dismiss the case, or rule against Berlin and allow the proceedings to continue.

The dispute reflects a sharp disagreement over Germany’s support for Israel. During the 2024 hearings, Nicaragua’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Carlos José Argüello Gómez, accused Germany of being unable to distinguish between self-defense and genocide. Germany called Nicaragua’s case “manifestly biased” and firmly rejected claims that it had violated the 1948 Genocide Convention. Germany has also said Israel’s security lies at the center of its foreign policy because of the country’s Nazi past.

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manifestly biased