In a significant show of support, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that South Africa and Palestine “will always stand together” during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday.
As a founding member of the BRICS economic bloc, South Africa hosted Abbas, who attended the 16th summit as an invitee. The two leaders engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing political and economic cooperation, focusing on aligning their efforts with South Africa’s national interests and foreign policy objectives, according to a statement from Ramaphosa’s office.
Abbas expressed his sentiments, stating, “We thrive when you thrive, and you are always with us.” Ramaphosa responded affirmatively, emphasizing South Africa’s unwavering commitment to supporting Palestine, adding, “We will always be united,” as documented in a video of their conversation.
Earlier in late 2023, South Africa initiated a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Israel of not adhering to the 1948 Genocide Convention amid ongoing military actions in Gaza since last October. Several nations, including Türkiye, Nicaragua, Spain, Mexico, Libya, and Colombia, have joined the case, which commenced public hearings in January.
In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, marking the third time the 15-judge panel issued preliminary orders aimed at reducing casualties and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region, where the death toll has surpassed 42,700.
Addressing the BRICS summit earlier, Ramaphosa asserted that countries around the world “must not finance or support” Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people. He highlighted South Africa’s commitment to embodying the spirit of solidarity as the world witnesses the ongoing struggles faced by the Palestinian people.
