Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
14 February 2023 / 12:23 CAT

Image: Radio Islam International

Palestinian and Israeli rights organizations have written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing his remarks in his State of the Nation Address on Palestine.

The organizations say statements made by the President on the tensions in Palestine and Israel are factually incorrect and politically unwise.

They state that there has been no recent escalation of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces alone this year, including children. Recently there has been an escalation of attacks on Palestinians and demolishing their homes in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank. In conversation with Radio Islam International, Rashon Dadoo said the punitive home demolitions have been described as war crimes by Human Rights Watch.

“It’s collective punishment under International Law,” she says.

She added that Israeli is a state committing war crimes and numerous violations of International and Human Rights Law.

“For the President to speak about it in terms of two equal sides in a conflict is really extraordinary. His reference returning to the peace process where there is none, how can anyone return to a peace process that does not exist. It has been clear that Israel has no intention of abiding by even it has agreed to,” she stated.

South Africa should play a more prominent role in heeding the unified call of the Palestinian people for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against apartheid Israel, including the prosecution of South Africans who joined apartheid Israeli occupation forces.

Listen to the interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Rashon Dadoo.