Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The call was made during her address to the National Assembly on November 7th, a day after Pretoria recalled its diplomatic mission to Israel. The address coincided with one month since Hamas militants initiated a deadly attack on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 239 others, according to Israeli officials. In response to the attack, Israel launched an operation that has claimed over 10,000 lives in Gaza, with 40% of the victims being children.
Minister Naledi Pandor emphasized the need to end the brutality, stating that it cannot be tolerated, and a ceasefire must be called. She addressed accusations of bias in favor of Hamas, asserting that South Africa has criticized Hamas for its breach of international human rights law. Pandor urged accurate contributions to the discussion, highlighting the violation of human rights law by killing civilians and taking hostages.
Pandor further asserted that, as an occupying power, Israel could use legal tools to address criminal actions within the territory it occupies. She called for accountability through the International Criminal Court, stating that the murder of children, women, and the elderly by Israel should result in an immediate arrest warrant for key decision-makers, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, for violations of international criminal law.
The Minister’s call for a ceasefire echoes similar calls from Algeria’s President and the Palestinian Prime Minister. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action against Israel, while Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called for arrest warrants for Israeli officials. Reporters Without Borders filed a complaint for war crimes against Palestinian journalists, and the families of Israeli victims lodged a complaint at the ICC for suspected war crimes.
Pandor outlined concrete actions to end the suffering, including an immediate comprehensive ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors for aid, and restraint from all parties to avoid fueling the unjust war. She also advocated for a reform of the global governance system to provide protection for the most vulnerable. The Minister reiterated support for a two-state solution, emphasizing Israel’s right to exist alongside a state of Palestine, aligning with the African National Congress’s long-standing view on Palestine. Israel, like Russia and the United States, is not a member of the ICC, refusing cooperation in 2021 over war crimes investigations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
