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 United Nations
(UN) General Assembly Resolution 1947, 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 Israelâs 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 governmentâs 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 Arafatâs visit to South Africa in 1998. âNow 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.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 November 2007
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
