Several hundred people gathered outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Thursday, as hearings opened in a case against Israel brought by South Africa.

South African prosecutors have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and have called on the court to order Israel to stop military operations there.

Supporters of both Israel and the Palestinian cause gathered outside the court building but were kept apart by a heavy police presence. The hearings themselves are being broadcast on a big screen.

The Palestinian supporters include demonstrators from Germany, England and France and they were joined by orthodox Jews from New York and London who also back the Palestinian cause.

Several hundred Israel supporters also took part in a march from the parliament complex to the Peace Palace.

Naomi Mestrum, director of the Israel information service Cidi, said the complaint against Israel is “absurd” and fits in with the “smear campaign against Israel which began before those killed by Hamas had been buried”.

Hamas, she said, is not being held to the same humanitarian standards as Israel.

More to follow