Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged solidarity, tolerance, and dialogue in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The conflict, ongoing since October 7, has resulted in significant casualties.
At least 1 200 people in Israel and a further 11 000 in Gaza have been killed.
In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa acknowledged the strong emotions on both sides but emphasised the importance of avoiding division in South Africa.
“As the bombardment of Gaza continues, there have been pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world, as well as those expressing solidarity with Israel. There have been a number of such events in our own country, convened by civil society organisations, political parties and religious groupings.
“For some, the murder of Israelis and the abduction of hostages on 7 October has further hardened sentiment that Israel has the right to use whatever means at its disposal to defend itself. At the same time, there are others who view the collective punishment of the people of Gaza by the Israeli government as a war crime.
As a people with our own painful history of discrimination, racism and prejudice, let us remember our personal duty to be tolerant and respectful of others.
Let us promote dialogue and meaningful engagement so that, as South Africans, we may work together to support the… pic.twitter.com/ChRrEzcaq4
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 20, 2023
“The conflict between Israel and Palestine has long been a polarising conflict that has deepened divisions in societies and communities way beyond the Middle East. Yet no matter how strong our views on this matter, we must guard against this conflict turning us against each other as South Africans,” he said.
He called for peaceful demonstrations, respecting freedom of expression, and rejecting violence or threats against those with differing views.
“Our Constitution protects everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression, to freedom of association and to demonstrate. It also requires that all demonstrations must be peaceful and that freedom of expression does not extend to the advocacy of hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion that constitutes incitement to cause harm.
“There is no place in South Africa for violence or threats of violence against those who hold contrary views. Nor is there any place for any form of prejudice, racism or chauvinism. As emotive as the Israel-Palestine issue may be for many of our citizens, particularly given our own history of discrimination and oppression, we must not let it deepen divisions between us,” Ramaphosa said.
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He added: “Successive democratic administrations have upheld the constitutional rights of all individuals and groups in this country. We have enforced these rights through our courts, including the Equality Court, and through institutions like the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and others.
“It was disappointing therefore to read an article in a leading Israeli newspaper by a representative of a local Jewish organisation suggesting that our government is ‘encouraging pogroms’ against the South African Jewish community. This has never happened in the history of democratic South Africa, nor will it ever be allowed to happen.”
Ramaphosa rejected accusations of anti-Semitism in the country, affirming the government’s commitment to constitutional rights.
“As a government and as a people, we stand firm in our call for justice for the oppressed Palestinian people, for their rights and aspirations to be fulfilled, for the immediate cessation of hostilities, and for there to be accountability for the deplorable killings of civilians in this recent conflict. We maintain that peace will not be possible until Palestinians are free.
“Yet, support for the Palestinian struggle cannot be equated with anti-Semitism. There is no place in our society for anti-Semitism, just as there is no place in our country for prejudice directed against any individual or community on the basis of race, religion, belief, political view or sexual orientation,” he said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
