Arrest Netanyahu and Halt the Genocide in Gaza, says South Africa’s Foreign Minister
PRETORIA, Nov.14, (ST)- The South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has confirmed that what is happening against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation entity is a “crime of genocide”.
She called on the United Nations and the international community to ensure that the principle of impunity that Israel and its officials have enjoyed for decades will end.
In an article entitled “Arrest Netanyahu and Halt the Genocide in Gaza”, The diplomat said: “The devastation of the current conflict is well documented and horrendous. Given the gravity of the situation, South Africa has repeatedly called for an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire, allowing for the full opening of all humanitarian corridors to grant urgently needed aid and basic services to the civilian population of Gaza.
On October 27, South Africa was among the more than two-thirds of UN General Assembly members that called for an immediate ceasefire. This call has been ignored.
The actions that we are witnessing daily by Israel are a violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention and its protocols. In its attacks on civilians and taking of civilian hostages, Hamas has also violated international law, and we have called for the hostages to be released.
International humanitarian law includes the obligation not to target civilian populations, and the responsibility to protect civilians in armed conflict. Under the Geneva Convention, hospitals must be protected.
Article 12 clearly states: “Medical units shall be respected and protected at all times and shall not be the object of attack.” Article 14 categorically states: “Starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited. It is therefore prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless for that purpose, objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works.”
In total disregard for the Geneva Convention, Israeli bombardments have continued and intensified across the Gaza Strip over the past five weeks. For international law to be credible, it should be applied uniformly and not selectively. Sadly, the crime of genocide looms large in Gaza.
Full article is available on the following link:
https://kenyanforeignpolicy.com/pandor-arrest-netanyahu-and-halt-the-genocide-in-gaza/
B.Q.
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