South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a strong call for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and the urgent release of hostages, in a statement marking the New Year. Delivered on Tuesday, Ramaphosa’s message condemned the ongoing violence and described the actions against the Palestinian people as genocide. He reiterated South Africa’s firm commitment to standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
“As the conflict in the Middle East endures, with genocide being perpetrated against the people of Gaza, and Israeli hostages still being held captive, we remain unwavering in our call for the cessation of hostilities and the immediate release of hostages,” Ramaphosa stated.
Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of global solidarity, drawing a parallel between South Africa’s own struggle for freedom and the ongoing plight of Palestinians. “Just as we secured our freedom through the support and solidarity of people and nations across the world, we continue to stand in solidarity with those facing injustice in other parts of the globe,” he added. This statement reinforces South Africa’s longstanding position of advocating for human rights and justice on the global stage.
In late 2023, South Africa took a bold step by filing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention amid its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The South African government has condemned Israel’s actions as part of a broader effort to hold Israel accountable for the high civilian death toll in Gaza, which has exceeded 45,500 people, many of them women and children, since a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Several nations, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, and Palestine, have lent their support to South Africa’s case at the ICJ, with public hearings beginning in January 2024. The case is focused on Israel’s failure to uphold international laws governing armed conflict and its treatment of civilians during its military operations. South Africa has been vocal about its belief that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to systematic and intentional acts of genocide, as defined by international law.
Despite mounting calls for a ceasefire, including a resolution from the United Nations Security Council, Israel has continued its bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the mass displacement of civilians and widespread destruction. The conflict has also strained international diplomatic relations, as countries continue to take sides on the ongoing crisis.
Adding to the pressure, in November 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the military actions in Gaza. The ICC’s involvement signals a significant step toward international accountability for those responsible for violations of human rights in the region.
As the situation continues to escalate, South Africa remains at the forefront of international efforts to hold Israel accountable, with President Ramaphosa’s latest statement reinforcing the country’s position on the side of peace, justice, and humanitarian principles.