South Africa's President Pledges Palestinian Solidarity

On 14 October, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa lambasted the Israeli government's orders for over one million people in Gaza to move south in preparation for a ground invasion, describing it as a genocide in the making. While standing in the South African province of Gauteng, Ramaphosa also expressed his support for the Palestinian people and conveyed his country's willingness to contribute to the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict based on a two-state solution. It echoes a recent joint communiqué by the African Union and Arab League.

Following an incursion by Palestinians into occupied Palestinian territories on 7 October, Israel has responded disproportionately. It has dropped more than 6,000 bombs into the densely packed Gaza Strip, killing thousands, mostly women and children. Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with key medical supplies exhausted. In what has received widespread condemnation for being collective punishment—a war crime—Israel shut down water, food and electricity supply to Gaza.

South Africa’s stance on Palestine is continuation of a long-running tradition of solidarity. South Africa credits international solidarity for playing a part in the defeat of apartheid, a situation Palestine finds itself in today, according to multiple human rights organizations. Palestinians are discriminated against on their own land, heavily surveilled and are denied freedom of movement. Israel is building settlements on existing Palestinian villages, and has ignored countless international calls to respect Palestinian rights.

South Africa is one of a growing number of countries putting out international calls for a just conclusion to the Palestinian question. Other states include Egypt and Algeria in Africa, as well as Iran and Saudi Arabia, which might just have to press pause on normalisation of ties with Israel.

Let us know what you think about Ramaphosa's remarks.