The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the latest stance by our Government to recall South African ambassador to Israel, Ishmael Coovadia, following Israel's attack on a vessel attempting to deliver the much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
We fully endorse and share the sentiments expressed by International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim to recall the South African envoy as a protest and sending the strongest condemnation for Israel's aggression of attacking the aid flotilla, severely impacting on finding a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis.
The ANC also adds its voice to the condemnation of the Israeli actions by international bodies as well as the United Nations (UN), a condemnation which has seen SA Deputy Minister of International Relations Sue Van Der Merwe summoning the Israeli Ambassador to a meeting to present a Démarche, registering the Government's strongest possible protest to the Israeli Government for its unjustified military action which has led to loss of life.
The ANC calls upon the United Nations to step up pressure on the Israeli government to ensure that it conforms to international laws and does not continue to carry out similar attacks with impunity. It is also our held view that the Israeli-Palestine crisis can only be resolved through a two state solution.
We will continue to intensify our solidarity efforts by supporting a just solution, including the strengthening of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state, which will help to bring peace to the region and an end to the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. The ANC supports an engagement with all parties in Israel and Palestine to find an amicable resolution towards the settlement of the Palestinian question and peace in the Middle East.