Germany urged the International Court of Justice on Monday to throw out Nicaragua's case accusing Berlin of breaching the Genocide Convention through its support and arms exports to Israel. 

German Foreign Ministry Legal Adviser Julia Monar argued that neither Germany nor Nicaragua is directly involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and said Berlin was not given a fair opportunity to respond before the case was brought.

The four-day hearing in The Hague is focused on Germany's preliminary objections to the court's jurisdiction and whether parts of Nicaragua's case are admissible, rather than the substance of the allegations. Nicaragua is due to respond to Berlin's arguments on Tuesday.

"It appears that Germany's conduct in the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on the 7th of October, 2023, has prompted Nicaragua to use the opportunity to accuse Germany of violating international law with respect to alleged wrongful conduct that took place well before the 30th of April, 2008. However, such claims are excluded by Germany's Optional Clause declaration."