Cape Town – South Africa has expressed deep concern over the recent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for an immediate end to violence and the pursuit of peace.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) cited reasons for the conflict, including the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, settlement expansion, desecration of holy sites, and oppression of Palestinians.
“The new conflagration has arisen from the continued illegal occupation of Palestine land, continued settlement expansion, desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christian holy sites, and ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people,” the department said.
South Africa emphasised the need for a credible peace process in line with previous United Nations resolutions, aiming for a two-state solution with internationally recognised borders and East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
South Africa expresses its grave concern over recent devastating escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. South Africa calls for the immediate cessation of violence, restraint, and peace between Israel and Palestine. https://t.co/fMRB8k0VkC
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) October 7, 2023
“South Africa, working together with the international community, seeks to ensure a lasting and durable peace that produces a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within the 1967 internationally recognised borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the department said.
Dirco stressed the importance of adhering to international law and resolving key issues such as borders, Jerusalem’s status, prisoner release, and the right of return.
“The international community cannot avoid its duty to act, and together, we must shoulder the responsibility to remove obstacles to peace and any violations of international law.”
It added: “Urgent attention must be given to resolving the final status issues such as borders, the status of Jerusalem, the release of political prisoners, and the right of return.
SA has called for an immediate end to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Director General, Zane Dangor calls on the international community to come together in calling for an immediate ceasefire.https://t.co/zPswKbk4Rd pic.twitter.com/leI1F4UkPD
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 8, 2023
“No real and lasting peace in Israel, Palestine, and the region is possible in the absence of a just and comprehensive resolution of the conflict. Israelis, Palestinians, and the region do not stand to gain anything from escalated tensions, increased violence, growing instability, and a continued and protracted violent conflict.”
South Africa called on all parties to choose peace over violence and urged the international community to support a credible peace process, offering its mediation and conflict resolution expertise if needed.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu