https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240315/south-africa-prioritizes-palestinian-lives-over-cutting-ties-with-israel-minister-ntshaveni-says-1065559001.html
South Africa Prioritizes Palestinian Lives Over Cutting Ties With Israel, Minister Ntshaveni Says
South Africa Prioritizes Palestinian Lives Over Cutting Ties With Israel, Minister Ntshaveni Says
Sputnik Africa
On November 21, 2023, South Africa's parliament voted to suspend diplomatic relations amidst rising tensions between the two countries over Israel's attack on... 15.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-15T13:10+0100
2024-03-15T13:10+0100
2024-03-15T15:53+0100
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South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, emphasized that the government's top priority is to protect the lives of Palestinians, rather than immediately responding to parliament's request to cut diplomatic relations with Israel, the local media reported on Friday.In 2023, South Africa withdrew its diplomats from Tel Aviv.Furthermore, during the Thursday's post Cabinet media briefing, Ntshaveni said that South Africa is "concerned" about continued hostilities and deaths in Gaza and expressed hope that the country's application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will bring much-needed peace and humanitarian aid to the enclave, once again underscoring that only the two-state solution will bring this change.Last December, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, in an interview with Sputnik, advised the government against closing Israel's embassies in Pretoria since doing so may prevent the nation from taking part in future negotiations to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.The ruling African National Congress has long supported the Palestinian people, drawing parallels between the discrimination they face and the apartheid system the party fought in South Africa.Thus, in December 2023, the country filed a case against Israel at the ICJ, requesting emergency measures to stop the "genocide" in Gaza. In January, the court ordered the Jewish state to take urgent measures to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave.
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South Africa Prioritizes Palestinian Lives Over Cutting Ties With Israel, Minister Ntshaveni Says
13:10 15.03.2024 (Updated: 15:53 15.03.2024) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
On November 21, 2023, South Africa's parliament voted to suspend diplomatic relations amidst rising tensions between the two countries over Israel's attack on Gaza. The decision, however, hasn't been implemented yet.
South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, emphasized that the government's top priority is to protect the lives of Palestinians, rather than immediately responding to parliament's request to cut diplomatic relations with Israel, the local media reported on Friday.
“Our primary concern is not a closure of embassies where there’s nobody. The primary concern is that the people of Gaza must have peace, the people of Rafah must be safe, and there’s no threat that gets extended to the West Bank,” said Ntshaveni, as cited by the report.
In 2023, South Africa withdrew its diplomats from Tel Aviv.
Furthermore, during the Thursday's
post Cabinet media briefing, Ntshaveni said that South Africa is "concerned" about continued hostilities and deaths in Gaza and expressed hope that the country's application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will bring much-needed peace and humanitarian aid to the enclave, once again underscoring that only the
two-state solution will bring this change.
"The Cabinet is concerned by the continued loss of life and the needless suffering in the of the Palestinians and calls for the immediate end of hostilities. […] South Africa's application is intended to ensure that all fighting and hostilities are ended and that all hostages and detainees are released immediately and the blockage of Gaza is lifted. South Africa reaffirms that the only solution that will bring peace for the people of Palestine and Israel is the implementation of the two-state solution," she said.
Last December, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, in an interview with Sputnik, advised the government against closing Israel's embassies in Pretoria since doing so may prevent the nation from taking part in future negotiations to address the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The ruling African National Congress has long supported the Palestinian people, drawing parallels between the discrimination they face and the apartheid system the party fought in South Africa.
Thus, in December 2023, the country filed a case against Israel at the
ICJ, requesting emergency measures to stop the "genocide" in Gaza. In January, the court ordered the Jewish state to take urgent measures to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the enclave.
