SA govt throws weight behind 2-state solution for peace in Middle East
Addressing the assembly on Tuesday, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola praised France for recognising a Palestine state and called on other UN members to do the same.
Lamola said it was not only Israel that had to abide by international law but other member states too.
Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, the conference aims to adopt an action plan that will lead to the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation a two-state solution.
Minister Lamola told the gathering that South Africa preferred dialogue over war.
He said that the security council must condemn genocidal acts in Palestine that threatened to wipe out an entire population.
Lamola appealed to Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza, for Israel to release all political prisoners and for it to stop its expansion into the occupied territories.
"All obstacles to a two-state solution should be removed. This includes an immediate ceasefire and a commitment to a peace process."
Lamola said that last week's motion by the Israeli Knesset to annex the West Bank could bury the goal of a two-state solution.
"Peace must reverberate in the Gaza Strip, in the West Bank and the whole of the Palestinian territories, and this is in our hands."
Lamola said there was high expectation that this conference will deliver a framework for lasting peace.
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His conduct, rhetoric, and disregard for democratic norms render him fundamentally unfit to lead any nation, least of all a global superpower such as the US. It is profoundly troubling that some world leaders still clamour for meetings with Mr Trump, as though proximity to his power validates their own. This sycophantic behaviour does not merely diminish their own credibility; it places them on equal footing with a man whose values are inconsistent with the principles of justice, diplomacy, and human dignity. They forget one important fact, Donald Trump is a convicted rapist, grossly dishonest businessman and good friend of Jeffrey Epstein and yet, they beg to meet with this evil man. The upcoming G20 Summit to be hosted on South African soil, presents an opportunity to re-centre global leadership around reason, compassion, and moral responsibility. The greatest gift to the G20 nations may well be a summit devoid of Trump's presence. 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It is imperative that our president place the dignity and interests of the Republic above any personal diplomatic or business Africa, and the G20, deserve better. The world deserves better. | Rozario Brown Moille Point DAILY NEWS
