The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the International Court of Justice ruling that there is a prima facie case of genocide against the people of Gaza, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent additional killing.
The ICJ also rejected Israel’s request to dismiss South Africa’s case against it.
DA spokesperson on International Relations, Emma Powell says, “As a party that is anchored in the rule of law, the DA welcomes the ICJ’s pronouncement on relief measures. We urge the court, however, to move swiftly in determining whether or not the more substantive arguments brought by South Africa in respect of the accusation of genocide do indeed have merit in international law.”
Powell says they believe in a two-state solution.
“We as a party absolutely remain committed to a viable and sustainable two-state solution based on UN Resolution Security Council Resolution 242. Our version is for a sovereign and free Palestine that co-exists in peace next to secure Israel.”
In the video below Emma Powell speaks to SABC News:
Powell has called Israel to abide.
“We call on the Israeli Prime Minister to immediately recommit to a negotiated two-state solution. All civilian hostages kidnapped on or after the 7th of October must be urgently returned. Hamas must disarm and of course, a date must be set for fresh elections to be held in Palestine under the leadership of the Palestinian Authority.”
ANC welcomes ICJ ruling
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the court’s ruling as a watershed moment.
He says South Africa supports the people of Palestine as they both share the same painful history of apartheid.
“The world will remember us that when we were facing apartheid the world never forsake us. The world was with us, we are free today because the people of the world were with us in the fight against apartheid.”
“It was correct and it is still [be] correct for South Africa to stand on the side of justice against [acts] of injustice and the rest of humanity agrees with us. And today it is very important and a very watershed judgment in solidarity with the Palestinians,” adds Mbalula.
ANC NEC member Ronald Lamola, who spoke in his capacity as the Justice and Correctional Services Minister, says that South Africa presented a strong case at the Hague.
He says former president Nelson Mandela is smiling from the grave.
“Because I know that we had forensically presented a case in the court and I believe in the strength of our case in the court and I believe in the strength of our case. I am humbled and believe that Mandela will be smiling in his grave that we stood on his shoulders and did him very proud by staying on the issues that he would’ve advocated for himself. As you are aware the genocide convention was one of the conventions he advocated for,” says Lamola.
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