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President Jacob Zuma's annual 8 January statement of the African National Congress (ANC) reemphasised one of the principles underpinning South Africa's foreign policy on the Middle East peace process when he stated that the Palestinian people have "inalienable right to self-determination and independence", which entails their universal human right to safety and security.
The South African government notes with concern the latest rounds of Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip and registers its condemnation in the strongest possible terms. South Africa maintains that these obstructionist actions on the part of Israel are hostile to concerted efforts to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle East, namely that of two states; Israel and Palestine existing in peace within internationally recognised borders. South Africa believes that there can be no military solution to the conflict and that peaceful negotiation is the only means of ensuring lasting peace, security and stability.
In this regard, South Africa appeals to all political protagonists in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict to take heed of the will of the international community as evidenced in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Arab peace initiative as well as the recent recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council's fact finding mission to Gaza.
We reiterate the call to the governments and peoples of Palestine and Israel to refrain from actions that jeopardise the peace process and focus on creating conditions conducive to the immediate resumption of negotiations.