The South African Government has noted the filing of Israel's response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the case of Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) be ...
President Ramaphosa mourns passing of Palestinian diplomat Leila Shahid
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the passing of pioneering Lebanese-born Palestinian diplomat and activist Leila Shahid, who has died at the age of 76. Leila Shahid made history as the first woman ambassador of Palestine, who represented the ...
Commemoration of the 48th United Nations International Day of Solidarity the Palestinian people and 30 years of diplomatic relations with Palestine
The South African Government joins the international community in commemorating the 48th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and renews its shared commitment to achieve a just and lasting solution to the question of ...
South Africa condemns Israel’s flagrant violation of the latest ceasefire agreement
The South African Government notes with grave concern that the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, has ordered immediate “powerful strikes” on Gaza, claiming that Hamas had violated the truce deal. The air strikes have already killed over 10 ...
The ICJ’s findings underscore that there is no legal ambiguity regarding Israel’s obligations
South Africa welcomes the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 22 October 2025 on Israel’s obligations as a United Nations Member State and as an occupying Power, with respect to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Co ...
Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement on Palestine, Kampala, Uganda, 15 October 2025
Excellencies, We meet today on a day of deep historical resonance. Thirty-eight years ago, on 15 October 1987, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, was assassinated for daring to imagine a sovereign, self-reliant, and united Africa ...
South Africa welcomes the first phase of the peace plan between Israel and Hamas
The South African Government welcomes the announcement of a peace plan between Hamas and Israel, paving the way for ending the war on Gaza and bringing about durable peace. South Africa urges all parties to commit to the steps agreed upon during negoti ...
South African Government confirms arrival of Flotilla activists in Jordan
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirms the safe arrival of the Flotilla activists in Jordan. Our Ambassador, Her Excellency Tselane Mokuena, was present to receive the delegation on behalf of the Republic. Minister Lamola re ...
South African Flotilla activists to return home via Jordan
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has been formally notified by the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the South African citizens who participated in the recent Global Flotilla initiative. We have received confirmation ...
Update on the welfare of Flotilla delegates
Today, our specialist team met with the South African delegation at the Negev Israeli Prison facility. The delegation has confirmed the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. The necessary procedures for their safe passage and return home to ...
South Africa welcomes progress towards a Gaza peace agreement
South Africa has taken note of the recent developments, intended to achieve a ceasefire and peace for Gaza and the region. These developments towards peace have the potential to alleviate profound human suffering and build much-needed confidence. We we ...
President Ramaphosa calls for immediate release of Global Sumud Flotilla abductees
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Government of the State of Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities’ interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla comprises humanitarian vessels ...
South Africa urges restraint and protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla
The South African Government is closely monitoring the situation concerning the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is now navigating a high-risk area in the Mediterranean Sea. We note with grave concern the reports of unidentified drone activity in the vicinity ...
Chair’s Statement: The Hague Group High-Level Meeting to halt the Gaza Genocide, New York, 26 September 2025
One year ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/ES-10/24, demanding that the State of Israel comply with the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion of July 2024, giving the State of Israel twelve months to cease witho ...
South Africa calls for the safe passage of the Global Sumud Flotilla
The Government of South Africa reiterates its call for the safe passage of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civil society initiative aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palest ...
South Africa calls on all States to take action to halt the genocide in Gaza
The Government of the Republic of South Africa takes solemn account of the findings of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. T ...
Joint Statement on the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and Türkiye express their concern about the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla ...
Statement by Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to the Meeting of the Joint Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Wednesday, 10 September 2025, Cape Town
South Africa vs Israel case at the ICJ Chairpersons of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Honourable members of both Committees, Thank you for pr ...
Deputy Minister Botes to deliver public lecture on solidarity with Palestine
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will deliver a public lecture under the theme: Solidarity with Palestine and Reflections on the Geopolitical Landscape in the Middle East. The event will take place tonight, 2 ...
Killing of Palestinians near aid distribution site in Gaza: South Africa outraged and calls for accountability
South Africa is gravely alarmed by reports confirming that at least 31 Palestinians were killed and over 200 injured today, 1 June 2025, near an aid distribution point in Rafah, Southern Gaza. Eyewitnesses and medical personnel attest that Israeli forc ...
South Africa condemns the massacre of 143 Palestinians on 15 May 2025, the denial of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the destruction of hospitals and clinics
South Africa condemns the killing of 143 Gazans by the Israel Defence Force on 15 May 2025, as Palestinians commemorated the 77th anniversary of Nakba Day, which marks the beginning of the displacement of Palestinians in 1948. The Head of UNICEF, Cathe ...
South Africa condemns the bombing of hospitals in Gaza, and the brutal massacres of humanitarian workers and journalists
South Africa condemns the continuous bombing of civilian targets in Gaza, the most recent being the missile strike by Israel forces on the al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza on Sunday, 13 April, forcing the evacuation of dozens of wounded people, and leaving G ...