Israeli president criticises 'atrocious and preposterous' genocide lawsuit during Blinken visit

Israel's president Isaac Herzog has said "there is nothing more atrocious and preposterous" than the lawsuit filed in the International Court of Justice accusing his country of genocidal actions against Palestinians in Gaza.

Mr Herzog made the comments as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel for his fourth visit in three months, Sky News reports.

The Israeli president accused South Africa of hypocrisy for bringing the case, which is due to begin hearings on Thursday, and thanked Washington for its support of Israel.

He added Israel will present its case "proudly" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and said his country's actions in Gaza have been in "self-defence".

The ICJ hearings will focus on the many civilians who are among the more than 23,000 people health officials in Gaza say have been killed in the war which broke out after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched its surprise attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

Israel says it tries to avoid civilian casualties when carrying out strikes on Gaza or ground attacks in the territory.

Speaking to Mr Blinken on Tuesday, the Israeli president said: "Actually our enemies, Hamas, in their charter, call for the destruction of our nation, the State of Israel - the only nation-state of the Jewish people.

"We will be there at the International Court of Justice and will present proudly our case of using self-defence under our most inherent right under international humanitarian law."

Mr Blinken is also meeting with Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's defence minister Yoav Gallant during his week-long visit.

Mr Herzog has said Israel must win its conflict with Hamas "because it's a war that affects international values and the values of the free world".