PM Shtayyeh meets South African President on the sidelines of AU Summit

ADDIS ABABA: Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met today with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the African Union Summit held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. During the meeting, Shtayyeh expressed Palestine's appreciation for the people and leadership of South Africa for filing a lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for committing the crime of genocide. He said this action has left a profound impact on the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people. Shtayyeh stated that "South Africa is holding Israel accountable before the International Court of Justice on behalf of all freedom-loving people worldwide, upholding the principles of justice, truth, and humanity." He asserted that South Africa's filing of the genocide lawsuit against Israel in the ICJ sets a precedent, since Israel has often violated international law without accountability, receiving support and sometimes portraying itself as the victim. The Prime Minister noted that South Africa 's initiative in the ICJ is a result of shared experiences and a common struggle against injustice. "South Africa endured colonization and apartheid. It understood the meaning of injustice, resisted and defeated it, and continues to confront it today," Shtayyeh stated. During the meeting, discussions focused on the political efforts led by President Mahmoud Abbas to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, deliver aid to the people of Gaza, and initiate a political process to end the occupation, leading to the recognition of the State of Palestine. The leaders also discussed South Africa's legal efforts concerning the complaint filed against Israel in the ICJ. They also touched upon upcoming hearings on the nature of Israeli occupation based on a United Nations General Assembly resolution initiated by the State of Palestine. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Malki, Palestinian Ambassador to Ethiopia Fares Al-Qab, Palestinian Government Spokesperson Ibrahim Melhem, and South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA