In a historic move, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa expresses pride in the nation’s legal team for presenting a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The case calls for an end to what South Africa labels as a genocide against the Palestinian people, emphasizing the country’s commitment to the cause of Palestinian liberation.
President Ramaphosa hails the proceedings as a proud moment, highlighting the impassioned representation by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.
“I must say that I have never felt as proud
as I felt today when our legal team was arguing our case in the Hague and I never felt as proud when I see Ronald Lamola the son of this province standing there in that court introducing our case. Bathi abanye that the Palestinians that were there, many of them cried because they have a sense that South Africa is probably the only country that is standing by them through these trials and tribulations , President Ramaphosa highlighted”.
Lamola asserts that South Africa has taken Israel to the ICJ to alleviate the long-standing suffering of Palestinians, emphasizing decades of systemic oppression and violence.
Lamola condemns the ongoing violence and destruction in Palestine, dating back
76 years, pointing out Israel’s control over Gaza Strip’s airspace, territorial waters, land crossings, and essential infrastructure.
“The violence and the destruction in Palestine and Israel did not begin on the 07th of October 2023. The Palestinians have experienced systemic oppression and violence for the last 76 years. On the Gaza Strip, at least since 2004, Israel continues to exercise control over the airspace territorial, waters land crossings, water, electricity and civilian infrastructure,” says Lamola
The South African representative at the ICJ, Vusi Madonsela, criticizes the international system for failing to prevent what he refers to as a genocide in Gaza, accusing Israel of displacing Palestinians
from their land.
Madonsela underscores South Africa’s application, recognizing the continuous Nakba (catastrophe) experienced by the Palestinian people through Israel’s colonization. The application acknowledges the internationally recognized right of return for Palestinian refugees to their towns and villages in what is now the state of Israel.
As South Africa stands firm in its support for the Palestinians, the ICJ case marks a significant step in addressing the longstanding conflict in the region. The global community watches closely as the legal proceedings unfold, anticipating potential repercussions and diplomatic shifts in the ongoing struggle for justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: SABC NEWS
Joshua KWIHANGANA.
+ There are no comments
Add yours