The MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ANDCO-OPERATION:

Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson, once more. I should have agreed with the hon Mpumza that the ANC is not deterred by these polls that are always made to frighten the ANC. We will campaign hard, and we will do well. Hon members and hon Chairperson, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to present this statement. Today, I believe all of us joined the world in expressing horror at the war crimes being committed in Palestine through the targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, UN premises and other vulnerable targets. 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 facts that have been released detailing the devastation of the current conflict are horrendous. Over 1 000 Palestinians are dead, thousands injured, public facilities destroyed, and cruel and wanton bombardment is ongoing. Therefore, as South Africa, we remain steadfast in calling for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire. The full as well as complete opening of all humanitarian corridors to ensure much needed aid and basic services reach those in need.

Madam Chairperson, the actions that we are witnessing daily, by Israel, are a violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Convention and all its protocols. In its attacks on and kidnapping of innocent civilians, Hamas has also violated international law. While we express horror at the violence, it is critical that we acknowledge that the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel, for several decades, has led to bitter hatred and increased violence.

This violence is not the first violence that the people of Palestine have experience. It has been going on for decades and decades and decades! Nothing we can say will obliterate that fact. However, Chairperson, the murder of children, of women and the agent by Israel is an act that should have resulted in the International Criminal Court issuing an immediate arrest warrant for key decision makers, including Mr Netanyahu, who is responsible for violations of international criminal law.

Madam Chairperson and hon members, it is important to stress that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through the establishment of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace. The Palestinian state should be created along the lines of the 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and in line with standing multiple UN resolutions.

For this two-state solution to materialise, a peace process initiated by the United Nations needs to commence urgently. We are aware that increasing settlements and illegal occupation have been used to make the creation of a Palestinian state almost impossible. The world must reject the Bantustan-type balkanisation that has increased bitterness and hatred. We must reinforce all efforts aimed at creating two states.

Madam Chair and hon members, the collective punishment that Israel is exacting on all Palestinian people is an affront that has gone on for too long. The world has expressed horror at these affronts but has not acted effectively to save Palestinian lives. Sadly, even here in our own country, there are many who choose to turn a blind eye to these atrocities.

On 27 October, this year, our country was among more than two- thirds of the member states of the United Nations that called for an immediate ceasefire in the General Assembly. This decision of the General Assembly has been ignored. It is impossible for us to continue to proclaim the importance of international law and the importance of the UN Charter for some situations and not for others, as if the rule of law only applies to a select few.