By: Natasha Archary
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has called for Israel to end its genocidal campaign against Palestine.
In a statement, Dirco condemned the killings of civilians from both Palestine and Israel, but blamed the latter for the bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital on Tuesday, 17 October which claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
This despite the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) denying any involvement in the airstrike on the hospital which was being used as a safe haven for displace Palestinians.
Dirco called the targeting of civilians in armed conflicts a violation of International Humanitarian Law and Geneva Conventions.
“Just as the attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel was abhorrent, there are no words to fully express South Africa’s condemnation of Israel’s bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist hospital on 17 October, killing well over 500 people and injuring over 1000.
The targeting of a hospital considered a safe haven under International Humanitarian Law is a war crime.
Similarly, the killing of the people of Gaza by Israel in 12 days of aerial bombardment of hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, and essential infrastructure are also war crimes. The continual bombardment of civilian targets, the denial of the civilian population of Gaza of water, food, fuel, and electricity is prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and by Geneva Conventions.
The bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist hospital in Gaza is the most blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law. Doctors are operating without anaesthetics and do not have the medical equipment or supplies to treat the victims. The suffering of children and their parents are unspeakable and unfathomable in this day and age, and there must be consequences for these actions, otherwise the international structures established to maintain international peace and security have utterly failed.”
South Africa calls on the international community to end its indifference to the gross violations against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and for the UN Security Council to take enforcement action to halt the unfolding genocide.
South Africa calls for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow in medicine, food and supplies.
South Africa calls on Israel to cease its genocidal campaign against the Palestinians and open the water taps, provide food for civilians, electricity and fuel for the ambulances and hospitals.
Dirco in a statement condemns Israel for the genocidal campaign against Palestinians
Meanwhile, the South African Zionist Federation has hit back at the South African government for taking sides in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“I say this to President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC leaders, garnishing Palestinian scarves, pledging solidarity to the Palestinian people who murdered Jews, shame on you.
We demand the immediate release of the babies, children, women and men taken hostage is Gaza. The hostage situation in Gaza is a moral abomination that requires the global communities immediate attention to rectify.”
Members of the South African Zionist Federation
Patriotic Alliance Leader, Gayton McKenzie stood in solidarity with the South African Zionist Federation slamming government for their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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