Position of the South African Government on the announcement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahud who plans to build 5500 housing units in the West Bank and its effect thereof on the “two states solution” envisaged for this area
QUOTE
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 43 (CO51e)
PUBLISHED IN NCOP INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1-2017 OF 7 MARCH 2017
MR NTHEBE (NW) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to build 5500 housing units in the West Bank. How will this affect the “two states solution” envisaged for this area, and
(2) What is the position of the South African government in this new development? CO51E
REPLY:
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION (Mr L T Landers): Hon House Chairperson, the reply to the question is as follows: Firstly, South Africa remains deeply concerned about Israel’s expansion of settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. South Africa also reaffirms the Security Council position that the establishment of settlements by Israel and the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including east Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and is a major obstacle to the achievement of the two states solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
On several occasions, South Africa has called on Israel to abandon all settlement expansion activities and we have emphasised that a two states solution process is under increasing threat as a consequence of Israel settlement activity in the West Bank.
The answer to question 2 is as follows: South Africa is firmly opposed to the building of 55 000 new settlements in Amona in the West Bank. In 1994, South Africa adopted the internationally recognised boarders agreed to in 1967. Thank you House Chairperson.
UNQUOTE
|
