FALCON POWERS – In a late Monday statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and 3 Hamas leaders.
Ramaphosa said, “The law must be applied equally to all in order to uphold the rule of international law, ensure accountability for those who commit atrocities, and protect the rights of victims.”
He affirmed that “South Africa is committed to the rule of international law, the universal respect for human rights, and the settlement of all international disputes through negotiation, not war, and the right to self-determination for all peoples, including the Palestinians.”
Ramaphosa reiterated that “all participants in the conflict must ensure an immediate cessation of fighting and hostilities, and the immediate release of all hostages (Israelis in Gaza).”
He added that South Africa also wants Israel to immediately withdraw its military forces from Gaza.
On Monday, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced plans to seek arrest warrants against PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and 3 Hamas leaders – Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif – for alleged war crimes.
Late last year, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the ICC, accusing it of “genocide” in Gaza.
Since October 7th, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza with full US backing, leaving over 115,000 Palestinian casualties, mostly women and children, and about 10,000 missing amidst massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of children and the elderly.
Israel continues the war on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, and the International Court of Justice ordering Israel to take immediate measures to prevent “genocide” and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
