By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday lauded the stance taken by South Africa against Israel in its continued offensive against Palestine in the Gaza strip.
Ramaphosa addressed the ANC Women’s League event in Mbombela ahead of the January 8 Statement this weekend.
“We were taught by Nelson Mandela that our freedom will never be complete until the freedom of Palestinians is also attained, we felt duty bound to launch the court case.
“I must say that I have never felt as proud when our legal team was arguing our case in the Hague, I never felt as proud as seeing Ronald Lamola, the son of Mpumalanga, standing in that court introducing our case.
“I am told that the Palestinians who were there, many of them cried, because they felt that South Africa is possibly the only country standing by them, through trials and tribulations. We thank you as South Africans that you stand on principle,” he added.
Ramaphosa also told members of the ANC youth league during a Peter Mokaba memorial lecture in Kanyamazane that the case was a historic moment for the country.
He said many countries had tried to bargain with Israel to ceasefire in various fora including the United Nations and a special emergency Brics meetings.
“We were compelled to take a case to the International Court of Justice. Our team argued the case strongly and forcefully. It was a proud moment.”
An eight-member South African team presented the country’s case at the ICJ calling for the court to issue an urgent order calling on Israel to stop its assault in Gaza that has claimed thousands of lives of Palestinians.
The team was led by Lamola and Ambassador Vusumuzi Madonsela with three senior counsels including Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC and two King’s Counsel.
On Friday, the ICJ will hear the oral argument from Israel and will be expected to announce the interim order within 10 days.
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Video Courtesy of MYANC.