President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his concerns over the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine, stating that South Africa had previously warned against such a scenario.
Ramaphosa attributed Iran’s recent attack on Israel to the failure in handling the war between the two nations.
He emphasized the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance to prevent the conflict from spreading beyond the borders of Israel and engulfing other countries in the Middle East.
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Speaking to journalists during the ANC’s election campaign in Orange Farm, Ramaphosa stated, “We did warn at a very early stage that unless the challenges and the war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza is handled with care and great wisdom, the war would soon escalate beyond the borders of Israel and it would engulf countries in the Middle East.”
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) echoed President Ramaphosa’s concerns and expressed the South African government’s worry about the developments in the Middle East following Iran’s retaliatory action.
DIRCO emphasized the importance of exercising utmost restraint and avoiding any acts that would further escalate tensions in the already fragile region.
Quoting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, DIRCO highlighted the “very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation.” In this context, South Africa stressed the need for all parties involved to prioritize peace and avoid resorting to war, as it is the ordinary people who suffer the most in conflicts.
DIRCO also drew attention to the ongoing war in Gaza and its devastating humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian people. The department called for an immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian access to address the critical situation.
South Africa emphasized that the proliferation of global conflicts would persist unless the international community commits itself to ending wars and establishing conditions that uphold justice and respect for international law.
DIRCO concluded by stating that as long as there is impunity for unlawful acts, war and injustice will continue. The department urged the international community to work together to bring an end to conflicts and ensure the establishment of a just and peaceful world order.
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