Hamas must be investigated for war crimes - Pandor
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor again called for the release of hostages held by the group, saying it was necessary if parties were going to move towards meaningful dialogue.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says the Palestinian militant group must be investigated for war crimes for its attacks on Israel last October.
But she said South Africa’s stance on the Palestinian matter cannot be equated to its position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Pandor on Wednesday again dismissed suggestions from the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) during question time in the National Assembly, that South Africa has close ties with Hamas.
She again called for the release of hostages held by the group, saying it was necessary if parties were going to move towards meaningful dialogue.
Questioned by the ACDP’s Steve Swart as to why government is not more vocal about Russia ignoring a genocide order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pandor said the situation in Ukraine could not be compared to that in the occupied territory of Gaza.
“I do not regard the two as the same. An occupation cannot be equated to the sovereign infringement of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
She said Palestinian civilians have had no part to play in the deaths of young children.
“Similarly, the action of Hamas which we’ve indicated to the International Criminal Court, may very well constitute a war crime, and should be investigated.”
Pandor said questions by the opposition about the money spent on South Africa’s genocide case in the World Court is an attempt to diminish the government’s principled stance on the matter.