At BRICS, South Africa’s stance on Palestine welcomed: President

By Hassan Isilow

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said many countries have welcomed the position his country took on the Palestinian issue, including its genocide case against Israel at the top UN court.

Ramaphosa made the remarks in his BRICS media wrap-up late Thursday, saying he got an opportunity to have bilateral discussions with countries such as Egypt, Congo, as well as Iran, and the UAE.

‘‘All of them welcomed the stance that has been taken by South Africa in relation to Palestine,’’ he said, a video of which was posted on his official X account. Ramaphosa attended the Oct. 22-24 BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan.

Ramaphosa said he informed the countries that in a few days South Africa will be submitting its full genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

South Africa filed a case with the ICJ tribunal based in The Hague in late 2023, accusing Israel, which has bombed Gaza since last October, of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Several countries, including, Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia, have all joined the case which began public hearings in January.

In May, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It was the third time the 15-judge panel issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in the blockaded enclave, where the death toll nears 43,000.

Ramaphosa said the expansion of BRICS strengthens the Global South, calling it a platform that promotes multilateralism and development.

He said during bilateral talks, leaders wished South Africa well for its upcoming G20 presidency in December.

Ramaphosa said Pretoria will be promoting the interests of Africa and the Global South, promoting the concept of solidarity, equality and sustainable development.