Johnathan Paoli
Deputy president Paul Mashatile said South Africa held no regrets about becoming the first country to file a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to end its deadly and relentless genocidal bombardment of Gaza.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Mashatile said the United Nations estimates that more than 30 000 Palestinians, including over 10 000 children, have been killed in Gaza after the Oct 7 attack of Israel by Hamas.
“Over 70 000 have been injured while 10 000 are missing under rubble. This brings the number of civilian casualties to about 110 000, amounting to roughly 5% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. We will not condone genocide,” Mashatile said.
In January 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to, among others, take all measures within its power “to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” and to immediately ensure that Palestinians have access to basic services and humanitarian assistance.
While South Africa had called for the suspension of Israeli military operations in Gaza, the court did not grant this provisional measure.
South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel last year in The Hague, under the Genocide Convention, for acts committed by Israel in the context of its conflict on Gaza.
Mashatile said South Africa condemned Hamas for the indiscriminate and wanton violence meted against Israeli civilians, and remained mindful of those who initially and continue to oppose the application in the ICJ.
The Deputy President said the government would continue to engage every sector of society, especially on matters contentious and would remain committed to the promotion of social cohesion and the promotion of consensus and evolution of a practical programme of action for progressive social change.
“It is in the context of Ubuntu and the building of a better Africa and the world that we remain committed to promoting the Bill of Rights, which enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile said South Africa would continue to pledge solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle to end all acts of the apartheid system by the Israeli government, and the genocide emanating from that evil system and support their collective right to self-determination.
Previously, the EFF have criticised the failure to completely cut ties, with MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi expressing dissatisfaction that the government has not acted on the National Assembly’s November resolution that diplomatic ties be cut with Israel.
In addition, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor previously said that the government needs to consider more action to express its concern about an imminent onslaught on Rafah in southern Gaza.
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