The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation seeks a permanent solution to the decades’ long conflict that has brought suffering to the people of Palestine and Israel.
The Portfolio Committee, during its sitting on 11 September 2013, recalled that the liberation struggle in South Africa enjoyed the support of the international community and the Palestinian people in particular, as it mirrored their own experiences of subjugation, oppression, exclusion, colonialism and dispossession.
The Committee reaffirmed that South Africa has since the democratic-breakthrough in 1994 supported the aspirations of the Palestinian people for the right to self-determination through the creation of a State of their own, living side by side and in peace and security with the State of Israel.
A call was made by the Committee that the international community should assist both Israel and Palestine to work towards a solution that ensures a contiguous and viable Palestine State existing in peace with Israel within internationally recognised borders based on those existing on 4 July 1967.
The Committee said this during its meeting where it resolved, among others;
- The need for SA intensify its solidarity efforts in support of a just, peaceful and lasting solution, including the strengthening of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state; which will help bring peace between Palestinians and Israelis and an end to the conflict in to the region.
- The need for SA to become a leading part of the world-wide movement, which includes South African civil society supporting the cause of the Palestinian people.
- To utilise its experience in reconciliation to help foster unity amongst Palestinians through Inter-Parliamentary cooperation.
- To continue supporting efforts by South African government to encourage an inclusive peaceful process of a negotiated settlement between the concerned parties.
- To lead efforts to strengthen and coordinate Inter-Parliamentary solidarity with the people of Palestine.
According to Committee Chairperson, Mr Tisetso Magama, the Committee sought to understand the underlying causes of long-standing Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and undertook an extensive enquiry into the Palestine/Israel conflict to be fully appraised of the issues thereto.
These recommendations, along with others, will be tabled before the House as parliamentary input into enhancing South Africa’s efforts towards a search for a comprehensive, just, peaceful and lasting resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Temba Gubula
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 078 735 8809
Tel: 021 403 8307
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
