Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 March 2001
The South African Government is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the past number of weeks. It condemns all acts of wanton violence and expresses its condolences to the families of those who have died on both sides of the deepening conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The South African Government expresses regret at the fact that the UN Security Council has failed to adopt the draft resolution, which was aimed at establishing an impartial monitoring force to be stationed in the Palestinian Territories. This only heightens the urgency of concerted action for the strict enforcement of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War, so that the Palestinian people may be afforded some measure of protection against Israeli violence.
The South African Government reiterates its conviction that a just and lasting settlement to the Middle East conflict will only be reached through a process of negotiating in good faith. The setting of pre-conditions for the cessation of all violence before discussions about peace, may commence, are self-defeating.
The South Africa Government therefore calls upon the Israeli authorities to renounce this approach to peace making and to take immediate steps to unconditionally recommence negotiations with the Palestinians as a matter of urgency. Failure to do so can only lead to a further escalation of conflict, in which there will be a mounting toll of innocent civilian victims on both sides.
Israel's policy of settlements and its continued military occupation of the Palestinian Territories which are underlying causes of the ongoing violence have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, the internal and external blockades of the Palestinian Territories as well as other forms of collective punishment should be ended immediately.
The South African Government also calls on Israel to honour all its previous undertakings and agreements in the context of the Middle East peace process as a sign of its commitment to a negotiated settlement.
For enqiuries contact Basetsana Thokoane
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Tel. No. 012 3510174