ICJ Opens Hearings Over Germany’s Alleged Role in Israel’s Gaza Genocide

The International Court of Justice opened four days of hearings on September 7, 2026, on Germany's preliminary objections in Nicaragua v. Germany, a case alleging Germany violated the 1948 Genocide Convention and international humanitarian law through military, financial and political support to Israel that Nicaragua says "facilitates" alleged genocide in Gaza.

Nicaragua filed the case in March 2024; Germany is asking the Court to dismiss it before reaching the merits.

Germany's Central Legal Argument

Germany's lead counsel, Julia Monar, argued the Court cannot proceed because determining Germany's responsibility would first require ruling on Israel's conduct, even though Israel is not a party to the case and has not consented to the Court's jurisdiction.

Germany invoked the "indispensable third party" principle, known as the Monetary Gold doctrine, to argue the case is legally impossible without Israel's participation.

Germany also argued Nicaragua failed to follow proper pre-litigation procedures and that some claims fall outside the Court's jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention, while stating it has not authorized war weapons exports to Israel for use in Gaza since 2024.

What Comes Next

Nicaragua will present its first-round arguments on Tuesday, September 8, contending that Germany's own obligations, the duty to prevent genocide and avoid complicity, can be judged independently without a finding against Israel as a state.

Second-round arguments from both sides follow Wednesday and Thursday.

A ruling on the preliminary objections is expected in about six months; if the Court accepts Germany's objections, the case is dismissed, but if rejected, it proceeds to a merits phase that would take years.

The hearings are public and being held at the Peace Palace.