By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of international relations and cooperation Ronald Lamola has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Lamola was addressing a joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees on International Relations and Justice in Parliament on Wednesday.
His remarks come amid heightened global concern following Israel’s recent military strike on Qatar territory, escalating regional tensions and drawing widespread international condemnation.
Explosions in Doha sent plumes of black smoke near a residential compound guarded by Qatar’s emiri guard.
Qatar condemned the attack as a “cowardly” violation of international law, underscoring its role as mediator between Hamas and Israel.
Lamola described the attack as a “blatant violation of international law,” undermining the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and putting civilian lives at risk, in contravention of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.
“The flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar comes against the background of Qatar’s prominent role as a facilitator in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” He said.
South Africa extended its support to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Qatari government, reiterating calls for restraint and respect for international law.
Lamola said that while the country’s case was initially dismissed in some quarters, Israel’s continued actions have confirmed its genocidal intent. He added that although the ICJ’s provisional orders are being ignored, Pretoria remains committed to pursuing accountability.
Lamola highlighted that South Africa’s legal challenge against Israel is far from symbolic, asserting that the outcome could set a precedent for how the international community addresses state-led violence and accountability.
“Inaction has a direct impact on how international law is applied across the globe in all conflicts that affect people,” he said. “Our actions resonate with the global majority — civil society, legal scholars, and analysts from both Israel and Palestine.”
South Africa has also been actively engaged in international diplomacy, co-chairing a recent meeting of The Hague Group in Bogotá alongside Colombia, where 30 countries gathered to coordinate efforts in support of Palestinian self-determination and an end to the Israeli occupation.
Reiterating South Africa’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, Lamola called for urgent steps to remove all obstacles to peace, including, permanent ceasefire, peace talks, the release of hostages by Hamas and political prisoners by Israel, halting illegal settlement expansion and dismantling the occupied territories.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 64 605 people and wounded 163 319 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be under the rubble.
A total of 1 139 people were killed in Israel during the 7 October 2023 attacks and about 250 were taken hostage. Israel strictly controls all inflows of international aid vital for the 2.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.