Pandor says government needs to consider more action over situation in Rafah
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has challenged the African Christian Democratic Party to use their contacts to persuade Israel not to launch further raids on the area.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor speaks during media briefing on 8 April 2022 on South Africa's position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Picture: X/DIRCO_ZA
CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor said government needs to consider more action to express its concern about an imminent onslaught on Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge from Israeli attacks.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, Pandor reiterated that Israel has not been complying with the order of the International Court of Justice to prevent harm to Palestinians.
Pandor has challenged the African Christian Democratic Party to use their contacts to persuade Israel not to launch further raids on the area.
She said the government needs to consider further measures it can take to protect Palestinians in Gaza.
READ: SA approaches ICJ after Israel expands military operations in Gaza to the city of Rafah
" I think South Africa needs to be far stricter where there is oppression and denial of human rights, and it’s this context that leads us to not be in a position of constant engagement with Israel."
Pandor said government stands by its call for peace talks that could lead to a two-state solution.
"We should look at what steps we might take, to support the call that all hostages held by Hamas must be freed."
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi expressed dissatisfaction that government has not acted on the National Assembly’s November resolution that diplomatic ties be cut with Israel.
Pandor said while the resolution has not yet been discussed by cabinet, Israel’s ambassador to South Africa had since been recalled, and South Africa’s Embassy in Tel Aviv, remains closed.