Johnathan Paoli
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that Britain was ready to formally recognise a Palestinian state and that Palestinians had to be given a political horizon to encourage peace in the region.
Lord Cameron made the remarks at the beginning of his fourth visit to the region since being appointed foreign secretary in November last year.
The foreign secretary also urged Israel to allow more humanitarian support into Gaza and said it was “ludicrous” that vital British and other aid was being sent back at the border.
Cameron said that the last 30 years had been a story of failure for Israel because it had failed to provide security to its citizens and that only by recognising that failure, would there be peace and progress.
“We have a responsibility there because we should be starting to set out what a Palestinian state would look like, what it would comprise, how it would work and crucially, looking at the issue, that as that happens, we with allies will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations,” the foreign minister said.
Recently the International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli state should prevent further loss of life and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches thousands of displaced and affected Palestinians.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the recent International Court of Justice ruling and said that it symbolised a significant step in attaining justice and transformation for the Palestinian people.
Ramaphosa said the next stop for South Africa was the UN Security Council and that the judgment was a victory for those who wanted peace in the Middle East.
The president said that the NEC needed to see that the court judgment was implemented and that the country could not stand idly by while the people of Palestine were subjected to daily bombardments.
“As South Africa, we have continued to chant this message about the reform of that structure. Our work to stop genocide in Palestine will, therefore, not just continue in the International Court of Justice, where we are now preparing a case on the merits to show proof of genocide.
“It must continue on the political front in the UN, but also in seeking practical support for our ICJ case from other countries around the world. It is pleasing that a number of countries have been ready, willing, and prepared to join small and little South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.
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