Question NW3591 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
17 November 2023 - NW3591
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
In the aftermath of the alleged attack on Israel by Hamas, what (a) is the formal position of the Government on the conflict in the Middle East and (b) are the details of the actions that the Government has taken in response to the conflict to advance peace and security in the region?
Reply:
a) South Africa’s position continually supports all efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within internationally recognised borders, based on those of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with all relevant UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters. Additionally, a viable and sustainable peace plan for the Middle East must ensure that Palestine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability is guaranteed, with sovereign equality between Palestine and Israel. The Palestinian question remains at the heart of the Middle East situation. The international community has an obligation to find a comprehensive and just resolution to the Palestinian issue. So far, the traditional approach to conflict resolution has failed to achieve peace in Israel – Palestine. It is possible that a different approach, one that uses a human rights perspective on conflict resolution, could produce what the old approach could not. The international community cannot abandon its duty to act together, it must shoulder the responsibility to remove obstacles to peace and any violations of international law. Violence, extra judicial killings, administrative imprisonment, forced removals, illegal settlements in the West Bank, and the continued siege of Gaza, are not conducive to resolving the conflict. 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.
b) South Africa supports all international efforts that seek to ensure lasting and durable peace and works with the international community through various initiatives aimed at establishing 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. HE President Ramaphosa was invited amongst a limited number of Heads of State, to participate in the recently held Peace Summit in Cairo. In addition, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr GNM Pandor, was invited to address the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to contribute to finding a resolution of the conflict in Gaza. Unfortunately, three (3) attempts by the UNSC failed to reach a resolution. However, the UN General Assembly (UNGA), by a two-thirds majority, reached a resolution that called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and to allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.