The long-standing illegal occupation of Palestine remains a significant source of tension and contention. South Africa has continuously called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks between the parties and affirms that the only way to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East is through reaching a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis themselves, and restoring all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in accordance with the two-state solution and the relevant UN resolutions and international terms of reference.
Furthermore, South Africa has always maintained an open-door policy to all parties involved in order to reach a lasting solution as embodied in the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Plan and the Quartet Peace Plan, amongst others. In 2002, South Africa undertook an initiative to broker peace talks between Israel and Palestine under the “Spier Presidential Peace Retreat.” During this period, South Africa hosted two rounds of Spier talks aimed at strengthening the peace camps on both sides based on South Africa’s negotiated transitional experiences.
The prolonged and belligerent Israeli occupation which continue to define the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), and the daily lived experiences of Palestinians led to the South African Parliament voting in favour of a motion to close the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria on 7 March 2023. This was preceded by the recall of the South African Ambassador to Israel in 2018. Due to Israel’s disrespect for international law and its continued undermining of the relevant United Nations resolutions, on 1 November 2023 Cabinet took a decision to recall South African diplomats from Tel Aviv for consultations. In the same month, Parliament passed a motion to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel until key conditions are met, which include a ceasefire, and participation in UN negotiations towards a just and lasting peace, which can only be attained by implementing the initial UNSC Resolution 242 (1967) and subsequent resolutions 338 (1973), 1397 (2002); 1515(2003).
South Africa has been resolute in expressing concerns over actions that undermine the viability of a two-state solution. The department, through international platforms and bilateral engagements has repeatedly called for accountability, emphasising human rights and humanitarian law as key pillars for the mobilising of global support for the Palestinian quest for self-determination and statehood. By bringing the case before the ICJ, it is believed that South Africa has brought enhanced global scrutiny to the plight of Palestinians, and many countries have since added their voices to the need to ensure justice for Palestinians. Government has formally filed its Legal Memorial (supporting documentation) to address the gross human rights violations and genocide against the Palestinian people and to ensure accountability by Israel.