Israel is actively seeking support from members of US Congress to pressure South Africa into withdrawing its legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to a recent cable from the Israeli foreign ministry obtained by Axios.

The situation is significant because South Africa has until October 28 to present its arguments to the ICJ on why the case against Israel should proceed. The case, filed in late December, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during its military operations in Gaza. South Africa alleges that Israel’s actions are genocidal, aimed at the destruction of a significant portion of Gaza's Palestinian population. Israel has firmly rejected these allegations.

Here is what you need to know

Israeli officials are concerned about the potential consequences of the case and are hoping that South Africa's new coalition government might adopt a different stance regarding Israel and the Gaza conflict. In response, Israel's foreign ministry has initiated a diplomatic campaign to dissuade South Africa from pursuing the case further.

The foreign ministry's recent cable outlines a strategy to engage U.S. lawmakers, governors, and Jewish organizations to exert pressure on South Africa. The aim is to make it clear that there will be repercussions for continuing with the ICJ case and other actions perceived as hostile towards Israel.

The ICJ has already conducted several hearings and issued provisional orders. In May, the court called on Israel to cease its military operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. However, the court has not yet begun to fully address the genocide accusations, though it is expected to in the coming months.

What exactly does the Israeli cable say?

The Israeli foreign ministry's cable, sent to the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, and all Israeli consulates in the U.S., underscores the urgency of the situation. It states: "We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organizations to put pressure on South Africa to change its policy towards Israel and to make clear that continuing their current actions like supporting Hamas and pushing anti-Israeli moves in international courts will come with a heavy price."

As the October deadline approaches, Israel's efforts to influence South Africa’s approach to the ICJ case reflect the broader implications of international legal disputes and diplomatic relations in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.