By Palesa Nguqu and Lebone Rodah Mosima
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Wednesday issued a strong international appeal, urging all nations to take immediate and decisive action to halt what it described as an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
This follows the release of a damning report by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel has committed acts that meet the definition of genocide under international law.
“It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention,” said Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry.
The report accuses Israeli authorities and security forces of committing acts including killing Palestinians, causing serious bodily harm, deliberately inflicting conditions designed to bring about physical destruction, and implementing measures aimed at preventing births within the community.
According to the Commission, these acts—outlined in the 1948 Genocide Convention—are ongoing and demand an urgent international response.
On Wednesday, the Department of international relations said that the findings reinforce its decision to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023.
“The responsibility for these atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest levels, who have orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian group in Gaza,” Pillay added.
The commission further found that Israel has failed to prevent or punish genocide by neglecting to investigate or prosecute alleged perpetrators.
Although the ICJ has issued three provisional orders to protect Palestinians, the report found that Israel has not complied with these binding measures.
DIRCO said this failure underscores the urgent need for the international community to uphold its obligations under the Genocide Convention.
The department also called on all states to ensure Israel complies with ICJ rulings, cooperate to end violations, halt the transfer of weapons used in genocidal acts, and investigate and punish breaches of international law.
South Africa has also submitted three detailed dossiers to the United Nations Security Council as evidence of Israel’s ongoing acts of genocide, including incitement, starvation, and the weaponisation of aid. The statement warned that the Palestinian people face a real threat of erasure, and that the credibility of the entire international legal system is at stake.
DIRCO emphasised that justice for Palestine is not only a human rights imperative but also a test of global commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
“The fate of the Palestinian people is at stake—and so is the integrity of justice under international law. We must act now to prevent further atrocities and uphold the principles of justice and humanity,” said DIRCO spokesperson Chris Phiri.
Meanwhile, Rise Mzansi’s spokesperson Mabine Seabe accused the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing genocide through indiscriminate bombings, shootings, and mass starvation.
“The United States and other global powers are the most powerful benefactors of the Netanyahu government—and they alone have the power to end this stain on human conscience,” Seabe said.
“Yet they refuse, instead hiding behind platitudes that project powerlessness, even though they wield unmatched economic and military power. We also demand the return of any remaining hostages, though considering the relentless bombardment, they may already be dead or unaccounted for.”
Seabe further urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to use South Africa’s G20 presidency to sound the alarm and call on the United States and other global powers to act in the interests of justice and humanity.
Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM) also declared its solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning attempts to extinguish their existence.
The party called on the UN Security Council to act urgently to protect civilians in Gaza.
“Our own people lived under apartheid while much of the world looked away or justified the injustice for political convenience,” the party said in a statement.
“Yet we also remember the solidarity of nations and peoples who stood with us when it was neither fashionable nor profitable to do so.”
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