Statement of the South African Government on the occasion of the Commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 29 November 2007

On behalf of the people of South Africa, the Government of South Africa extends warm greetings to all Palestinians and to the Palestinian leadership on this occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Sixty years on, we gather to reflect particularly on UN General Assembly Resolution 194, stipulating the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, and 29 November 1947 – the Partition Plan – which set in motion a tragic chain of events that led to the dispossession of all but 22 percent of land remaining in the hands of the indigenous Palestinian people, by the armistice of 1949 the reign of terror led to the flight of 60 percent of Palestinian refugees, termed Al Naqba – the Catastrophe. Today, Palestinians have become less secure and less free in their own cities and villages, and the hopes of the refugees remain dreams.

This evening we not only have to reflect on the fact that 70 % of the people of Palestine today live below the poverty line, under a cruel military occupation, but the fact that this year has seen indescribable suffering and humiliation resulting from a hitherto unprecedented escalation in violence against the civilian population of Palestine. South Africa has consistently condemned Israel’s disproportionate and excessive use of force against Palestinians, its destruction of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) institutions, its violations of the Oslo Peace Accord by invading PNA- controlled areas, its policy of extra-judicial assassinations of Palestinian leaders and activists, its usurping of Palestinian revenue owed to the PNA, its shameful policy of collective punishment of Palestinians through the siege and blockade of Palestinian towns and villages, its human rights repression of Palestinian inalienable rights, and Israeli settlement policy.

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, it gives birth to a dangerous agenda which would prefer to see the Middle East region entirely volatile. Threats to peace in the region are threats to world peace. The South African Government calls on all Palestinian leaders to work tirelessly to unite the Palestinian people, because a divided Palestine only serves the interests of those forces which do not wish to see a peaceful and prosperous Palestine, at peace with its neighbours inside internationally accepted borders.

South Africa has consistently stated that it is in the common interest of humanity for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace between Israel and the Arab states. In this regard, South Africa has called on all parties to the conflict to demonstrate responsibility in avoiding actions that could add to an already volatile situation. We are of the view that Israel should not wait for the outcome of negotiations regarding the Peace Process to deal with issues such as settlements, collective punishment, extra-judicial assassinations and other such human rights violations, but should rather address these as soon as possible. We are proud that the South African Government has played a proactive role to bring about a comprehensive, just and permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is our Government’s view that by sharing the South African experience in negotiations, peacemaking and transition to democracy and by supporting the strengthening of the peace camps in Palestine and Israel, as well as helping the general dynamic towards peace; we can present a supportive role to the process. It is also our hope that we may bring the South African experience in reconciliation to all protagonists in the Peace Process.

The Government’s clear position of support for the establishment of a viable Palestinian State is based on its firm belief that only a realistic two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East. South Africa’s support for the two-state solution, as opposed to a unitary state, does not ignore the serious implications of the construction of the Separation Wall, illegal Israeli settlements and so-called facts on the ground. The presence of the settlements in the West Bank, with their accompanying military infrastructure, system of by-pass roads, restrictions on and isolation of Palestinian population centres, and depletion of the natural resources, strongly argue against a viable Palestinian state and therefore a viable two state solution. In this vein, it is hoped that, by commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine, this act will focus world attention on promoting support for international peace efforts. The aim is to stop the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, salvage the political process and realise the vision of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, based on the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, living side-by-side in peace with Israel, within secure borders. We remain convinced that negotiations are the only means to end the conflict and bring peace and security to both Palestine and Israel, as well as to the entire region.

The South African Government believes that we have the right to expect the United Nations and the Quartet to act in bringing full influence to bear on both Israelis and Palestinians, but very specifically and most emphatically on Israel, to cease all acts that will further erode any progress towards the implementation of the Road Map. In the conflict between the greater and weaker power, South African President Thabo Mbeki, writing in February 2007, has made it clear where the key for peaceful resolution lies.

“The challenge … faces the Government of Israel to respond positively to the Mecca Agreement, among others by releasing all funds due to the Palestinian Authority and adopting a positive posture with regard to the tasks to reduce the misery afflicting the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and create a climate conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The balance of power in this regard decisively favours Israel. To end the destructive conflict that has gone on for far too long, will require the wisdom and courage of the more powerful.”

“The positive results that both the Israeli and Palestinian people pray for will not come of their own accord. They will come about as a result of conscious and deliberate actions which must be taken in the first instance by the more powerful. Each positive step towards a just peace will create the conditions for the next positive step towards a just peace, until the process towards a just and permanent peace develops and organic logic and momentum that convinces all antagonists that to resort to violence is to turn the guns against the irreversible prospect of peace and security for all.”

An issue of continued concern remains Israel’s construction of the ‘apartheid wall’. Condemned by the international community, the Israeli government has regrettably pursued the construction of the Separation Wall that cuts through the West Bank territory, confiscating large chunks of Palestinian farm land, residences and commercial property for this purpose. Israel ’s continued construction of the apartheid wall, despite overwhelming international opposition, is unacceptable. It also runs contrary to the will of the international community. It is not in the long term security interests of Israel that such a barrier should be in place.

The South African Government believes that the only way to bring about peace in the Middle East is to have a comprehensive and unconditional negotiated settlement to end the occupation of the Palestinian and Syrian Golan Heights. This will contribute towards peace and security throughout the Middle East region.

We are cautiously observing the efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians together at Annapolis in the United States. These efforts hopefully demonstrate a commitment of the parties to the conflict and the international community to find a genuine resolution. These efforts, however, must be seriously and genuinely engaged in, with concrete and meaningful steps forward; otherwise we are afraid we will see a repetition of a failed process and the Palestinian suffering growing worse. We also take note the words of Prime Minister Olmert during the Annapolis Conference when he said that “I am convinced that the reality that emerged in our region in 1967 will change significantly”. South Africa trusts that this changing reality that the Prime Minister is referring to will reflect the wishes of the international community as expressed in the UN resolutions referred to at the beginning of this message.

In the end there must and will be peace between Israel and Palestine. There must and will be peace between Israel and the Arab world. The violent days that have seen the deaths of so many Palestinians and Israelis must end and end soon.

It will then be possible for everybody, both friend and foe, to say that Yasser Arafat was correct to speak about the peace of the brave. It should be possible even now, as we commemorate once again, the life of this fighter for freedom, that the leaders and people of Israel and Palestine should honour the memories of both Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin and other numerous martyrs by acting in practical ways to achieve the peace of the brave.

To arrive at this outcome, Palestinians, Israelis and all of us in the world require the peace of the brave that Yasser Arafat spoke about.

On this day, we should remind ourselves of the statement made by then President Mandela in honour of Chairman Yasser Arafat’s visit to South Africa in 1998. “Now that we have achieved our freedom, we have not forgotten our friends and allies who helped us liberate ourselves. As former beneficiaries of selfless international support, South Africans have a duty to lend a supportive hand to others seeking justice and equality… It is in that spirit that South Africa has fervently supported the Middle East peace process. South Africa is proud to be part of … affirming the right of Palestine to self-determination and state-hood. We are committed to playing our humble part … to help ensure that Palestine assumes its rightful position in the global arena.”

Insha’ Allah!

Thank you.