IN a video posted on X, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his solidarity with Palestinians and called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wearing the Palestinian Kufiyah, an iconic symbol of Palestinian resistance, President Ramaphosa’s message carried a message of support for the Palestinian cause.
‘The main way to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is to implement the two-state solution and establish an independent Palestinian state,’ emphasised President Ramaphosa. This stance reflects the international community’s long-standing position on the need for a two-state solution to ensure lasting peace in the region.
President Ramaphosa also extended his condolences to the families affected by the recent clashes in the Gaza Strip and Israel, and stressed the importance of empathy and understanding during these challenging times. He particularly expressed concern over the Israeli order to evacuate over a million people from northern Gaza to its southern region, citing its potential to exacerbate the situation.
South Africa, with a history of solidarity with Palestinian causes, reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people and their quest for a peaceful resolution. President Ramaphosa believes that a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine will have a positive ripple effect throughout the entire Middle East, fostering stability and cooperation in the region.
The Gaza Strip has faced severe challenges since the blockade imposed in 2006, and the recent Israeli military operation, known as Iron Swords, has intensified these difficulties. In response to the ongoing attacks by Israeli forces and settlers, Palestinian factions in Gaza, led by the Hamas movement, launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This operation is a reaction to the continuous assaults on Palestinians, their properties, and their sacred sites, with a particular focus on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
President Ramaphosa’s statement underscores the global call for peace, urging all parties involved to seek a peaceful and equitable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, respecting the principles of international law and the aspirations of both nations.