Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a United Nations-led negotiation process to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking at the Cairo Summit for Peace on Saturday, he emphasised the international community’s responsibility to support peace and facilitate dialogue.
“The international community has a responsibility and a duty to support peace, and to create favourable conditions for negotiation and dialogue,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “As South Africa, we hold the firm view that the attack on civilians in Israel, the ongoing siege of Gaza and the decision to forcibly move the people of Gaza, together with the indiscriminate use of force through bombing, are violations of international law. More than that, these acts are an affront to our common humanity.
As South Africa, we hold the firm view that the attack on civilians in Israel, the ongoing siege of Gaza and the decision to forcibly move the people of Gaza, together with the indiscriminate use of force through bombing, are violations of international law. More than that, these… pic.twitter.com/dC0MZGv18n
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) October 21, 2023
‘We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, the lifting of the siege of Gaza, the opening of humanitarian corridors and the urgent provision of humanitarian aid on the required scale to the people of Gaza.”
Ramaphosa also expressed concern that the Israeli government’s response to attacks may worsen the long-standing conflict.
“We are also concerned that this conflict can spread to include other countries in the region. This must be avoided at all costs. The only way to bring about peace is the fulfilment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to human rights, dignity and statehood.
“This is in line with the decisions that have been taken by the United Nations that guarantees statehood for both Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders. Only through a negotiated settlement, supported by the international community, can the people of Israel achieve the security they seek and the people of Palestine realise the freedom they deserve,” he said.
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Composed by Betha Madhomu
