President Ramaphosa condemns humanitarian crisis and calls for ICC intervention
Written & Drafted By Shafeek Ahmad, Published On 17-November-2023, 07:05 AM EST.
Johannesburg, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, on a state visit to Qatar, has formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes in the recent conflict with Hamas. Speaking with the Qatari ruler, Ramaphosa expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, likening it to a “concentration camp where genocide is taking place.”
Context and Criticism:
While condemning Hamas’ actions in a recent attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 casualties and 240 hostages, President Ramaphosa criticized Israel’s response, particularly the impact on Gaza’s hospitals. He stated, “As South Africa, we have accordingly, together with many other countries in the world, saw fit to refer this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court.
International Response:
Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky declined to comment when approached by VOA. Mia Swart, a visiting professor specializing in international law, explained that the ICC would likely need to investigate the claims, emphasizing that the process would be protracted.
Israel’s Defense Stance:
Israel has consistently asserted its actions are in self-defense. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, earlier this week, highlighted “extraordinary efforts” to minimize civilian casualties during the conflict.
South African Stance and ANC’s Motion:
South Africa, a vocal supporter of Palestinians, has a history of drawing parallels between its struggle against apartheid and the Middle East situation. The African National Congress (ANC) party, in line with its pro-Palestinian stance, expressed support for a parliamentary motion calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria and the suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel.
Domestic Reactions:
The ANC’s proposal follows large pro-Palestinian protests in South African cities and a disrupted pro-Israel march. The Jewish Board of Deputies in South Africa noted a significant increase in antisemitism in the country since the conflict began.
Source: VOA News
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Disclaimer:- This news article was written by the help of syndicated feed, Some of the content and drafting are made by the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) ChatGPT.
About the author: Shafeek Ahmad is a freelance writer passionate about business and entrepreneurship. He covers a wide range of topics related to the corporate world and startups. You can find more of his work on Howtobeaspoonie.com.
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