"So, I spoke to that gentleman, Mr. Haniyeh. I did not express any support for the atrocious action that had occurred on the 7th of October, and it is that I have said is totally untrue," said the minister, who noted that Hamas is a government in the Gaza Strip.
"At this time, the most important step that we need to take is to continue our efforts as South Africa to encourage a cessation of hostilities and the opening up of safe corridors for the entry and transport of humanitarian aid. And South Africa continues to lend its support of these efforts," the minister said.
"[...] If we are true to ourselves, if we are true to our history, if we are true to what we've achieved, we will stand up and say what is being done to the people of Palestine is wrong, is intolerable, and we will not pretend to accept it," she stressed.
"These actions remind us of our experiences as black South Africans living under apartheid. This is one of the key reasons South Africans, like people in cities all over the world, have taken to the streets to express their anger and concern at what is taking place in Gaza and the West Bank. These demonstrations illustrate the frustration felt the world over that people are being attacked and are losing their lives with little or no action to stop these atrocities," the minister said.