SA ‘taken steps’ to lay complaint against Israel at ICC - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa is part of a group of nations that have taken steps towards laying a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court against the Israeli government.
Ramaphosa made the announcement on Wednesday during his state visit to Qatar after holding talks with his counterpart Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The visit is part of a celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Israel has been at war in Gaza since the attacks of October 7 when Hamas militants stormed across the border, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 240, Israeli officials say.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says Israel's ensuing aerial bombardment and ground offensive has killed 11,320 people, mostly civilians, including thousands of children.
The South African government has expressed solidarity and support for the people of Palestine while also condemning the killing of civilians on both sides.
Some pro-Palestine groups have held pickets outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, calling for the removal of the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Eliav Belotserkovsky.
Ramaphosa said South Africa is opposed to the operations that are ongoing, particularly the targeting of hospitals where babies, women, and the injured are dying in droves.
He said South Africa is part of a group of nations which have referred the Israeli government to the International Criminal Court for investigation.
"As South Africa, we have accordingly, together with other countries, seen fit to refer this Israel government actions to the International Criminal Court because we believe war crimes are being committed there. Of course, we don't condone the action taken by Hamas earlier, but similarly, we condemn the Israeli actions and believe they warrant investigation by the ICC.
"As South Africa, we have been advocating that the crisis between Israel and Palestine needs to be resolved in a two-state solution. What is happening in Gaza has now turned it into a concentration camp where genocide is taking place,” said Ramaphosa.
At the same time, he lauded the government of Qatar for its efforts to mediate between the two warring parties.
"We are opposed to the operation that is ongoing as it is now targeting hospitals, where babies, women, and the injured are dying like flies and where care of life is something that is completely ignored and put aside."
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