Share

WATCH: Lamola vows to maintain SA’s support of Palestine

Posted by:

Anga

|

On:

|

Newly appointed International Relations and Cooperations Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa will continue to fight for the people of Palestine.

Lamola was speaking at a symposium on South Africa’s national interests and global advancements at an event organised in partnership with the South Africa Institute of International Affairs on Thursday.

Lamola, who took over from former International Relations minister Naledi Pandor, said he would continue to act within global institutions to protect the rights of Palestinian people and ensure the fair application of international law for all.

Watch Ronald Lamola speaking about standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people

International Court of Justice

The duo championed South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In May, the United Nations’ top court ordered Israel to immediately stop its attacks in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The decision marked the third time this year the 15-judge panel has issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

ALSO READ: WATCH: ICJ orders Israel to immediately stop attacks in southern Gaza city of Rafah

Gaza

Lamola said South Africa will walk with Palestinians toward the realization of their collective right to self-determination.

“South Africa will continue to do everything within its power to preserve the Palestinian people as a whole, [and] end all acts of apartheid and genocide.

“As a sovereign country, we must be able to take independent decisions that advocate human rights across the globe, but also for our own national interests,” Lamola said.

Western Sahara

Lamola also said South Africa needs to redouble its efforts to work in solidarity with those who are resisting occupation, oppression, human rights abuses, and injustice.

“As our foreign policy is anchored in our history of solidarity with those struggling against oppression and occupation, we will continue to support the people of Western Sahara in their quest for self-determination.

“We call on the United Nations to take urgent steps towards holding the long-promised referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara – now the last colony left on the African continent – so that the Sahrawis can determine their destiny,” Lamola said.

ALSO READ: Praise for Naledi Pandor as Lamola takes over International relations