South African Government Statement on the Escalating Violence in the Middle East

The South African Government joins the international community in expressing its regret and outright condemnation of the suicide bombing in Haifa in Israel and the retaliatory Israeli Defence force military operation in Gaza, on Wednesday and Thursday 5-6 March 2003 which claimed many lives and left scores of others wounded.

The South African Government is of the view that neither suicide bombings nor the repeated military incursions into Palestinian territories by the Israeli Defence Force serve the cause of either the Palestinians or the Israeli people.

No amount of violence either by the Israeli Defence Force, whether pre-emptive or retaliatory or suicide bombings can ensure an everlasting solution, peace and security of the peoples of Israel and Palestine.
On the contrary, only extremists on both sides can thrive from such tragic events, which not only lead to more sufferings for the ordinary people of Palestine and Israel, but will lead to a further polarisation and the perpetual postponement of hopes for peace, security and stability for all.

The South African Government joins the international community in calling on the incoming Israeli Government to give its serious and urgent commitment to the Quartet Road Map with a view to creating climate conducive for the immediate and unconditional resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians.

Similarly, the South African Government expresses its hope that the planned meeting of Palestinian organisations scheduled for Cairo, Egypt will chart the way forward in determining a common approach in the struggle for a sovereign Palestinian state as well as addressing the critical question of a cease-fire.

South Africa will continue to lend its hand, as part of the international collective and within the multilateral system of global governance, to assist the peoples of both Israel and Palestine to pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

South Africa, extends its heartfelt condolences to those families that have lost their loved ones during these tragic moments and wishes those wounded a speedy recovery.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0001
6 March 2003