Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Cape Town, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that while he welcomed the Gaza peace deal, it would not affect the pending case against Israel, which South Africa is a citizen of, at the International Court of Justice.
The President made the statement while answering questions at the National Council of Provinces (the country's upper house of parliament) in Cape Town.
"The peace agreement we have reached, which we welcome, will have no bearing on the case pending before the International Court of Justice. The proceedings are ongoing and have reached the stage where Israel must respond to our allegations before the court, and do so by January next year," said Ramaphosa.
While South Africa welcomed the first phase of the peace plan, including a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Ramaphosa said that ultimately, real justice must be achieved for the Palestinian people.
"We cannot move forward without the necessary 'healing' that will come from properly addressing the case," he said.
In December 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking a ruling to compel Israel to cease its attacks on Palestine and recognize its actions as genocide. In January and March 2024, the court issued provisional measures, ordering Israel to immediately ensure essential food supplies to the enclave.
Ramaphosa stated that, as a party to the ICJ case, South Africa cannot force the court to expedite its decision, even though Israel continues to violate some of the ICJ's provisional measures. The president also emphasized that international efforts to end Israel's illegal actions in Gaza and ensure accountability for the atrocities committed against Palestinians are ongoing.
“These processes take place at the UN through the Hague Group, which is a global bloc of states committed to upholding international law and acting in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” said Ramaphosa.
“The South African government remains strongly committed to using all available legal and diplomatic means to protect the Palestinian people and uphold the rule of law,” he added. –0–
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