South African president attacks Israel at the UN over Gaza
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly criticized Israeli practices during his speech at the high-level meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, expressing his deep concern over what he described as some countries' violation of international law and their blatant defiance of UN resolutions and rulings issued by international judicial bodies, most notably the International Court of Justice.
Ramaphosa directly referenced the landmark case his country brought before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of violating its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip. The South African president asserted that the continuation of military operations and the disregard for provisional measures ordered by the Court undermine the credibility of the rules-based international order, emphasizing that all, without exception, must comply with the rulings of international justice.
Historical background and initial stance
South Africa’s current stance cannot be separated from the historical context of a nation that suffered for decades under apartheid. Pretoria views the Palestinian issue as a reflection of its own past struggle for freedom and human dignity. Since the era of the late Nelson Mandela, South African leaders have consistently maintained that their own freedom will not be complete without the freedom of the Palestinian people, which explains South Africa’s strong diplomatic and legal efforts in international forums in support of Gaza.
Regional and international repercussions
Observers believe that Ramaphosa's statements are particularly significant given the sharp international polarization, as these positions present Western countries that support Israel with a difficult moral and legal test regarding their double standards. Furthermore, South Africa's insistence on pursuing the legal path strengthens the African continent's position as an active player in international politics, striving to restore balance to UN institutions that are paralyzed in the face of major crises.
Crises of the African continent and the internal situation
On another note, the South African president did not neglect to highlight the forgotten crises in the African continent, pointing to the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in other conflict zones such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling on the international community to give these crises the attention they deserve and not to be satisfied with focusing only on traditional hotspots.
On the domestic front, Ramaphosa outlined his government's efforts to combat poverty, reduce high unemployment rates, and address the root causes of inequality inherited from previous eras. He concluded by reaffirming South Africa's foreign policy principles, which are based on maintaining global peace and resolving disputes through negotiation and constructive dialogue, rather than resorting to force.
