to the Parliamentary Debate on the Middle East crisis, Cape Town
17 August 2006
The civil war in Iraq, the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan,
the inability to deal with the Palestinian issue, the war in Lebanon all
reflects that we are living in the most dangerous times in the last 50 years. I
am sure that we all agree that events in the Middle East continue to threaten
international peace and security.
"We are faced with a complex situation with several inter-related
dimensions, consisting primarily of security issues, geo-strategic interests
and control of oil resources." The strategic objective is to carve out a "New
Middle East" and an increasing militaristic approach to combat the threat of
terrorism. A logical consequence of this reality was reflected by Caspit a
leading Israeli columnist who commented that "Israel is dealing with radical,
messianic Islam, which extend its arms like an octopus, creating an axis from
Tehran to Gaza by way of Damascus and Beirut. With people like these there is
nothing to talk about. The fire of a war against infidels burns in them."
Another commentator, Ron-Ben-Yishai wrote "the only fitting response in this
is a military one in order to create a new strategic balance between us and
radical Islam." These forces refuse to accept that the Palestinian issue is the
key issue that needs to be resolved if there is to be long-term peace and
stability in the Middle East.
The South African government policy on the Palestinian-Israeli issue is
driven b the Oslo Agreement, the Arab Plan of 2002, the Road Map and various
United Nations (UN) resolutions, which have concluded that the only viable
solution is a two-state solution; i.e. a viable Palestinian state based on the
1967 borders living side by side with a secure Israeli state.
The Road Map to achieve this objective driven by the Quartet [United
Nations, Europe, United States America (USA), and Russia] unfortunately has not
made any significant progress.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has also been ineffective.
In the absence of any progress, to find a political solution, the
Palestinian resistance continued and Israeli military action in occupied
Palestine was intensified; the vast majority of Palestinians in the occupied
territories literally have became prisoners. Israeli settlements continued to
be expanded, the Wall determined to be illegal by the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) continued to be built, the Palestinian Authority continued to be
weakened and poverty continued to increase.
In an already difficult and volatile situation, Hamas swept into power in a
democratic, free and fair election. Israel, the USA and the European Union (EU)
imposed severe sanctions against the Hamas led government. This, inter alia,
resulted in all donor funding being stopped; Israel withholding millions of
dollars due to the Palestinians and the movement of goods, services and people
was further restricted.
The South African government believes that such a response to a democratic
process does not help us to create conditions for peace, stability and
prosperity in the Middle East. The newly elected Israeli government announced
that they did not have partners to negotiate with and would have to consider
unilateral actions to determine secure borders.
We also believe that any unilaterally imposed solution will not be accepted
and will be a recipe for more violence. We welcomed the results of a free and
fair election and believe that we can't campaign for democracy and when the
people democratically elect their government we then refuse to accept the will
of the people. The objective is to interact constructively with the Hamas
leadership to convince them that they came to power because of the Oslo
Agreement and UN Resolutions and therefore in the interest of the Palestinian
people they should comply with these agreements.
I am pleased to report that all Palestinian groups adopted the "prisonerâs
document", in terms of which a government of national unity would be
established; a two-state solution would be accepted and all violence would be
suspended. A few hours after this historic development and when the prospects
of a united Palestinian approach to seek a negotiated solution had become a
reality, an Israeli soldier was captured by Palestinian militants.
This resulted in a massive military offensive against the Palestinians,
which has resulted in the destruction of most of the remaining infrastructure
in Gaza. This has caused hundreds of more deaths and casualties. This, coupled
with the Israeli closure of crossing points and the sanctions imposed has
resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
All this combined with the arrest of many Hamas Ministers and
Parliamentarians; the destruction of many government institutions; the
continuing extra-judicial killings; the prevention of movement of Palestinians
from the West Bank to Gaza has practically led to the collapse of the
Palestinian Authority.
On another front the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hizbollah in Lebanon
also resulted in a massive military offensive against Lebanon. Much of
Lebanon's villages, towns and infrastructure have been destroyed. Over a
thousand have been killed and many more injured, mostly children, women and
elderly. Over a million Lebanese have been displaced and a catastrophic
humanitarian tragedy created.
Analysis
Israel's disproportionate use of force and the collective punishment of
people in Palestine and Lebanon violate international law and the Geneva
Convention and many have called it "war crimes". Such military actions
resulting in so many civilian casualties can't justify any security
concerns.
Reality
1.1 Increased support for Hizbollah and Hamas.
1.2 Arab "streets" volatile.
1.2.1 Threat to moderate governments in region.
1.3 Unprecedented anti-Americanism and the potential for increased
terrorism.
1.4 Iranian dimension.
1.5 Syria dimension.
It is unacceptable that while the carnage continued for five weeks and the
possibility of the conflict engulfing the whole region was becoming a reality
the Security Council was immobilised.
Events have proved that this approach was unrealistic and dangerous.
Finally, after much death and destruction a resolution calling for immediate
cessation of hostilities was passed by the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC). Despite some misgivings the Resolution has been accepted by the
Lebanese government, Israel and the international community. The truce is
holding and we have called on all parties to maintain the cessation of
hostilities. The UNSC must seek a comprehensive solution based on UN
Resolutions and the Lebanese Prime Minister's seven-point plan.
Prime Minister Siniora's seven-point plan
An immediate and comprehensive cease-fire and a declaration of agreement on
the following issues:
* An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and detainees
through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
* The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line, and the return of
the displaced to their villages.
* A commitment from the Security Council to place the Shebaa Farms area and
the Kfarshouba Hills under UN jurisdiction until border delineation and
Lebanese sovereignty over them is fully settled. While in UN custody, the area
will be accessible to Lebanese property owners there. Further, Israel
surrenders all remaining landmine maps in South Lebanon to the UN.
* The Lebanese government extends its authority over its territory through
its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons or
authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated in the Taef
national reconciliation document.
* The UN international force, operating in South Lebanon, is supplemented
and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, as needed,
in order to undertake urgent humanitarian and relief work and guarantee
stability and security in the south so that those who fled their homes can
return.
* The UN, in co-operation with the relevant parties, undertakes the
necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice Agreement signed
by Lebanon and Israel in 1949 and to insure adherence to the provisions of that
agreement, as well as to explore possible amendments to or development of said
provisions, as necessary.
* The international community commits to support Lebanon on all levels and
to assist it in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the human, social
and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country, especially in the areas
of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the national economy.
Deputy Speaker,
Humanity is consciously marching towards an abyss, which will result in a
disaster.
Today the whole region is in turmoil. At the beginning of the war against
the Lebanese 85% of the Israeli population supported Israel's military
offensive. Today there are serious divisions within the Israeli society.
There are also the dangers of a "backlash" from Arab "streets" and
governments. All these factors are making a new catastrophic regional war a
reality. Parliament has the responsibility to ensure that the international
community accepts its responsibility, discard its failed policies and genuinely
and urgently take decisive steps to solve the root cause of instability i.e.
the creation of a viable Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders living
side by side with a secure Israeli state.
Nobody who has seen the graphic consequences of the Israeli military
offensive in Lebanon, can not remain shocked and angered. Parliament must
constructively and critically express its view that collective punishment,
violation of international law and the Geneva Convention is unacceptable.
Anger and concern of millions of people throughout the world is manifesting
itself in South Africa.
All parties must co-operate to ensure that the conflict between the
Palestinian and Israelis do not spill into our streets.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 August 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
