The Minister today was more than the responsible Minister with good proposals creating an impression that the ANC is sincere in this whole process. No, you are not. While the hon Dr Ndlozi was speaking and attacking Israel, with all these statements on this side of the House, the ANC nodded in support. Look at this. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, there you have it. That's the real ANC. That is the real ANC, not the position that the Minister has taken today. What was the relationship between Gaza and Israel before 7 October? what was the relationship? every day, 20 000 people from Gaza went to Israel to volunteer work - there was a good relationship. Every day hundreds of trucks went into Gaza to take goods and to bring exports from Gaza back. That was the relationship. But then Hamas decided to destroy all of that.

Minister, you have now recalled our embassy staff in Israel and said that this is for consultation purposes. It is not for consultation purposes. No, you can pick up the phone and consult, you can do a Zoom call and consult, but you are pulling these people back to send a message to Israel and also to send a message to your supporters. But you know how your message went on.

Today, two senators in the United States, Senator Christopher Andrew Coons and Senator Jim Risch, responded to this state of yours, the fact that you are with Russia, the fact that you are with Hamas, the fact that you are with Iran, you went there. Today they responded by saying that the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, process, needs to be corrected in Congress. That is the reality. - You are saying it is okay? Hon Minister, unfortunately, I don't have time to discuss all these things with you. I have got four minutes. But let me conclude. I have reason to believe that you have good contacts with Hamas and Iran. Oh yes, you do. Let me tell you that the conflict can be ended today. Three conditions: First, the rocket fire from Gaza must stop. Second, all hostages must be released immediately. Third, the perpetrators who committed these atrocities must be banished. I hope the Minister has listened, I hope you will pass this on.

I am telling you, you are not listening to me, you don't need to listen to me, you don't need to listen to me. The ANC is on the wrong side of history and therefore you will be rejected... [Time Expired.]

Mr WMTHRING: Hon House Chairperson, the ACDP asserts that South Africa has a moral obligation to support a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to distance itself from a radical position on Israel, a position which undermines any hope of a negotiated process and a peaceful outcome.

The ACDP believes that the recalling of South Africa's diplomats in Israel will not serve any benefit to the Palestinian people. It simply removes South Africa's ability and authority to play a mediating role in any future peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. By recalling our diplomats, we have lost that role. This was affirmed by conflict resolution expert, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, who said the move was incorrect, as the absence of a South African diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv will not change the situation and will not allow South Africa a better understanding of what is happening here.

The Cabinet's decision to recall our Israeli diplomats is based on the assertion that the Israeli government failed to respect international law. The ACDP notes and appreciates the breaking of the silence in condemning and flouting international law by Hamas when they raped women, murdered and burnt children and whole families and kidnapped over 200 hostages, including two South African women and there was silence from the South African government on that. Likewise, we cannot remain silent about the thousands of Africans, murdered by the Arab Janjaweed in Dafur, Sudan, who because of their dark skin, are called by the Arabs 'anbai' - slaves. We cannot be silent. Israel's history with its land goes back some 4100 years and 3400 years ago, Israel was established as a nation. Christianity was established around 2000 years ago and Islam about 1400 years ago. It is a fact