Education, skills and creating employment can be used to fight terrorism in Africa, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told Jewish leaders from the US in Cape Town on Friday.

"We regard our friends in the developed north as co-partners in the global fight against terrorism and the development of the African continent," Motlanthe said at a breakfast at the Jewish Museum in Cape Town.

"This is possible and is realisable through the strengthening of our strategic objectives in capacitating people with education, skills, and in the creation of ample employment opportunities."

Motlanthe said that South Africa empathised with both sides in the Israeli-Palestinean conflict.

"Even when conflict erupts in the Middle East, South Africa is able to empathise with both sides," he said.

"When there is no exchange of bombs or gunfire, we could find a lasting resolution to that conflict."

Motlanthe said that the government supported all international efforts to find peace and security in the Middle East, including the implementation of various United Nations Security Council resolutions.

"I remain an optimist and I do see peace being implemented in our lifetime in the Middle East. All that is required is compromise and conciliation from both sides of the conflict."