ON Thursday, lawyers representing South Africa brought their case against Israel to the International Court of Justice.
They allege that Israel’s conduct in Gaza has violated a UN convention from 1948 relating to the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide.
The court settles disputes between countries and has done so since its establishment in 1945.
However, the building itself has a distinctly Scottish connection.
Where is the International Court of Justice?
The ICJ is located in The Hague in the Netherlands, which is also home to the International Criminal Court.
The ICJ building itself is known as the Peace Palace.
Who built the Peace Palace?
The Peace Palace was completed in 1913 to act as the headquarters of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which seeks to resolve disputes between UN members states that occur due to international agreements.
The Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (below) paid $1.5 million (around $50 million today) for the building after being convinced of the merits of constructing a “temple of peace” to resolve international disputes.
The building also contains a detailed library of international law.
A bust of Carnegie is still displayed within the building alongside other historical figures considered instrumental in promoting peace, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
