Obstacles in the realisation of the Government’s call for negotiations towards a permanent solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel in the form of two states existing side by side and in peace within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 44 (NO1086E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 9-2014 OF 19 AUGUST 2014
Mr M S A Maila (ANC) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(a) Does she foresee any obstacles in the realisation of the Government’s call for negotiations towards a permanent solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel in the form of two states existing side by side and in peace within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders and
(b) What steps will she take in this regard? NO1086E
REPLY:
(a) Both the Unity Government of the Palestinian National Authority and Government of the State of Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed on the two-state solution. However, the two parties have not reached agreement on the basis or conditions that will govern the existence of the two states existing side-by-side and in peace with each other.
(b) President Jacob Zuma has appointed former Minister, Dr Zola Skweyiya and former Deputy Minister, Mr Aziz Pahad as Special Envoys on the Palestine-Israel Conflict. The Special Envoys have travelled to Palestine, Israel, Egypt and other countries that they will deem necessary to convey the President’s message of a call on Israel and Palestine to cease fighting in the Gaza Strip and to resume negotiations to find a lasting solution to the Palestine Israel conflict within the context of the two-state solution. Additional information will be reported to the President upon return of the Special Envoys.
UNQUOTE
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