Chair, Ambassador Sampofu
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
This year, the 48th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Palestine. South Africa and Palestine continue to share fraternal ties of solidarity and cooperation that are based on upholding international law, while together we are working towards creating a better life for our people, our regions, and the world.
South Africa remains resolute in its commitment to continue strengthening the bonds of long-standing solidarity, friendship, and cooperation with Palestine, and calls upon the international community to tirelessly work for the attainment of peace and to provide strong humanitarian, economic and political support to the Palestinians.
South Africa in showing concrete action, has taken the Apartheid, genocidal, racist government of Israel to the International Court of Justice and already several provisional Judgements have been issued, which this regime has ignored, and the international community is doing nothing to put pressure on Tel Aviv to act and respect its obligations.
South Africa reiterates our call for the immediate implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan, including adherence by the genocidal Israel regime to a permanent cease-fire, the provision of unimpeded humanitarian aid into Gaza through UN and other reputable humanitarian agencies, the withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces from all of Palestine and to end the holocaust they are committing, against unarmed and defenceless civilians.
South Africa calls on Israel to realise that the only way to achieve lasting peace, is the cessation of its illegal occupation of Palestine and compliance with its obligations under international law, including adherence to the various United Nations resolutions through the decades and recent relevant ICJ judgements
For the past 75 years the Palestinian Peoples’ quest for self-determination and statehood remains at the core of ensuring lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East. It is a blight on the conscience of the international community, especially those with the means, that they have not just allowed but assisted and encouraged the Apartheid and genocidal Israeli regime to continue its murderous deeds with impunity. We welcome those states that have recently recognised the State of Palestine and encourage them do more by isolating this regime.
South Africa reaffirms our unwavering solidarity with our Palestinian sisters and brothers, believing that their quest for an independent state is a legitimate right based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as their capital in accordance with the two-state solution and the relevant UN resolutions, only then will lasting peace in the Middle East be realised.
Let me recall President Nelson Mandela’s words “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”. South Africa will continue to play a constructive role in finding a lasting solution to this long-standing issue.
I thank you.