Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday revealed that South Africa has been asked to participate in talks to end the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Speaking at the end of the African National Congress (ANC) Lekgotla of the governing party’s National Executive Meeting (NEC), President Ramaphosa said: “Following our launching of the case we are now being asked if we are willing to participate in whatever form of discussions that could end this conflict and we have said yes”.
Last month South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over alleged genocide acts in Gaza, where more than 26 000 people have been killed – many of them women and children.
Since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, in which over 1 200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 taken as hostages, the Israeli Defence Forces have unleashed an unprecedented bombing of Gaza.
Backed by the US, Israel denies accusations of genocide and instead insists that its deadly operations in Gaza are in line with its right to defend itself.
Last week the ICJ made an interim ruling that ordered Israel to take six specific measures to prevent genocide.
A ruling on the main part of the case was expected to take months.
Earlier Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said the NEC lekgotla came to a unanimous view that South Africa’s unwavering support and solidarity with the people of Palestine “is in the end, consistent with the ANC-led Alliance’s long-standing traditions and policy positions”.
He added: “We take this opportunity to thank all South Africans who came out in their tens of thousands… in fact in their hundreds of thousands to support the just cause of the Palestinian people.
“We also pay tribute and commend the legal team and those who worked very hard behind the scenes to make sure that our government’s case is well represented.”
President Ramaphosa thanked the two SA ministers, Dr. Naledi Pandor and Ronald Lamola, for their role in the matter.
“I have personally phoned all our lawyers who represented us including those based in the UK to thank them for the work they had done.
“As we reflect on this matter, we must be mindful that our success has exposed not only the atrocities that have been carried out… are being carried out by the state of Israel, it also has exposed the moral bankruptcy of those countries who by their acts of omission or commission are allowing genocide to take place in Gaza on their watch,” said President Ramaphosa.
“And we say this humbly without pointing fingers.
“We are also conscious of the fact that there will be systematic fightback campaigns as well. I say this so that we are aware of it.”
President Ramaphosa warned: “There can be little doubt that these forces will do all in their power to prevent South Africa, from firstly concluding its case on the merits of the matter in the ICJ.
“Speaking to the lawyers I found them quite ready, willing, and prepared to take this case forward to its final conclusion.”
The ANC leader said the fightback may also focus on “our domestic politics and our electoral outcomes” in order to pursue a regime change agenda.
South Africa goes to the polls later this year, which coincides with the country’s 30th anniversary of democracy.
“Now… some people have said this was a David and Goliath type of contest… so we must be aware that whilst we have done what we believe was driven by our conscious and our principles,” President Ramaphosa said.
“And whilst we also went and did the right thing and took this matter to the courts that were set up by those who were there in 1948, or so, as they set up that court… we are being blamed for taking the matter to the very court that they set up.
“We didn’t take the matter to a kangaroo court…”
President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to be vigilant and to remain united in their resolve to consolidate their freedom and that of others.
Closing the Lekgotla on an optimistic note, President Ramaposa said while there were likely to be difficulties ahead there were also opportunities.
