Germany has withdrawn its planned intervention in support of Israel at the International Court of Justice, where Israel faces genocide allegations brought by South Africa over the war in Gaza. The decision marks a reversal from Germany’s earlier pledge to defend Israel against what it had called baseless claims under the Genocide Convention.

Berlin said it stepped back because it is now itself a party to separate proceedings at the same court. Nicaragua has accused Germany of violating international law by supplying weapons to Israel and suspending funding for a United Nations relief agency for Palestinians. While the court declined to impose emergency measures against Germany, it allowed the case to move forward.

Germany had resumed funding for the relief agency after an independent review did not substantiate Israeli allegations about staff links to militant groups. Despite withdrawing from direct support of Israel in the genocide case, German officials reiterated that they reject Nicaragua’s accusations and will present their arguments before the court.

Germany’s decision leaves Israel without the formal backing of one of its strongest European allies in the proceedings. Other countries, including the United States and Paraguay, have filed interventions supporting Israel, while more than a dozen nations have submitted statements offering interpretations of the Genocide Convention, many of them critical of Israel’s conduct.