The civil war in Iraq, the deterioration of the situation in
Afghanistan, the inability to deal with the Palestinian issue, the war in
Lebanon all reflects that we are living in the most dangerous times in the
last 50 years. I am sure that we all agree that events in the Middle East
continue to threaten international peace and security.
We are faced with a complex situation with several inter-related
dimensions, consisting primarily of security issues, geo-strategic
interests, control of oil resources". The strategic objective to carve out a
"New Middle East" and an increasing militaristic approach to combat the
threat of terrorism. A logical consequence of this reality was reflected by
Caspit a leading Israeli columnist who commented that "Israel is dealing
with radical, messianic Islam, which extend its arms like an octopus,
creating an axis from Tehran to Gaza by way of Damascus and Beirut. With
people like these there is nothing to talk about. The fire of a war against
infidels burns in them.
Another commentator, Ron-Ben-Yishai wrote " the only fitting response in
this is a military one in order to create a new strategic balance between us
and radical Islam".
These forces refuse to accept that the Palestinian issue is the key issue
that needs to be resolved if there is to be long-term peace and stability in
the Middle East.
The South African government policy on the Palestinian-Israeli issue is
driven b the Oslo Agreement, the Arab Plan of 2002, the Road Map and various
UN Resolutions, which have concluded that the only viable solution is a
two-state solution; i.e. a viable Palestinian state based on the 1967
borders living side by side with a secure Israeli state.
The Road Map to achieve this objective driven by the Quartet [UN, EU,
USA, Russia] unfortunately has not made any significant progress.
The UNSC has also been ineffective.
In the absence of any progress, to find a political solution, the
Palestinian resistance continued and Israeli military action in occupied
Palestine was intensified; vast majority of Palestinians in the occupied
territories literally have became prisoners. Israeli settlements continued
to be expanded, the Wall [determined to be illegal by the ICJ] continued to
be built, the Palestinian Authority continued to be weakened and poverty
continued to increase.
In an already difficult and volatile situation, Hamas swept into power in
a democratic, free and fair election.
Israel, the USA and the EU imposed severe sanctions against the Hamas led
government. This, interalia, resulted in all donor funding being stopped;
Israel withholding millions of dollars due to the Palestinians and the
movement of goods, services and people was further restricted.
The South African government believes that such a response to a
democratic process does not help us to create conditions for peace,
stability and prosperity in the Middle East.
The newly elected Israeli government announced that they did not have
partners to negotiate with and would have to consider unilateral actions to
determine secure borders.
We also believe that any unilaterally imposed solution will not be
accepted and will be a recipe for more violence.
We welcomed the results of a free and fair election and believe that we
can't campaign for democracy and when the people democratically elect their
government we then refuse to accept the will of the people. Objective to
interact constructively with the Hamas leadership to convince them that they
came to power because of the Oslo Agreement and UN Resolutions and therefore
in the interest of the Palestinian people they should comply with these
agreements.
I am pleased to report that all Palestinian groups adopted the "Prisoners
document", in terms of which a government of national unity would be
established; a two-state solution would be accepted and all violence would
be suspended.
A few hours after this historic development and when the prospects of a
united Palestinian approach to seek a negotiated solution had become a
reality an Israeli soldier was captured by Palestinian militants.
This resulted in a massive military offensive against the Palestinians,
which has resulted in the destruction of most of the remaining
infrastructure in Gaza. This has caused hundreds of more deaths and
casualties. This, coupled with the Israeli closure of crossing points and
the sanctions imposed has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
All this combined with the arrest of many Hamas Ministers and
Parliamentarians; the destruction of many government institutions; the
continuing extra-judicial killings; the prevention of movement of
Palestinians from the West Bank to Gaza has practically led to the collapse
of the Palestinian Authority.
On another front the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hizbollah in
Lebanon also resulted in a massive military offensive against Lebanon.
Much of Lebanon's villages, towns and infrastructure have been destroyed.
Over a thousand have been killed and many more injured [mostly children,
women and elderly]. Over a million Lebanese have been displaced, and a
catastrophic humanitarian tragedy created.
Analysis
Israel's disproportionate use of force and the collective punishment of
people in Palestine and Lebanon violate international law and the Geneva
Convention and many have called it "war crimes".
Such military actions resulting in so many civilian casualties can't
justify any security concerns.
Reality
1.1 Increased support for Hizbollah and Hamas.
1.2 Arab "streets" volatile.
1.2.1 Threat to moderate governments in region.
1.3 Unprecedented anti-Americanism; and the potential for increased
terrorism.
1.4 Iranian dimension.
1.5 Syria dimension.
It is unacceptable that while the carnage continued for five weeks and
the possibility of the conflict engulfing the whole region was becoming a
reality the Security Council was immobilised.
Events have proved that this approach was unrealistic and dangerous.
Finally, after much death and destruction a resolution calling for
immediate cessation of hostilities was passed by the UNSC. Despite some
misgivings the Resolution has been accepted by the Lebanese government,
Israel and the international community. The truce is holding and we have
called on all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities. The UNSC
must seek a comprehensive solution based on UN Resolutions and the Lebanese
Prime Minister's 7-point plan.
| Prime Minister Siniora's 7-point plan |
An immediate and comprehensive cease-fire
and a declaration of agreement on the following issues:
a- An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and
detainees through the ICRC.
b- The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line, and the
return of the displaced to their villages.
c- A commitment from the Security Council to place the Shebaa Farms area
and the Kfarshouba Hills under UN jurisdiction until border delineation
and Lebanese sovereignty over them are fully settled. While in UN
custody, the area will be accessible to Lebanese property owners there.
Further, Israel surrenders all remaining landmine maps in South Lebanon
to the UN.
d- The Lebanese government extends its authority over its territory
through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no
weapons or authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated
in the Taef national reconciliation document.
e- The UN international force, operating in South Lebanon, is
supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of
operation, as needed, in order to undertake urgent humanitarian and
relief work and guarantee stability and security in the south so that
those who fled their homes can return.
f- The UN, in co-operation with the relevant parties, undertakes the
necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice Agreement
signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1949, and to insure adherence to the
provisions of that agreement, as well as to explore possible amendments
to or development of said provisions, as necessary.
g- The international community commits to support Lebanon on all levels,
and to assist it in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the
human, social and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country,
especially in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the
national economy. |
Deputy Speaker
Humanity is consciously marching towards an abyss, which will result in a
disaster.
Today the whole region is in turmoil. At the beginning of the war against
the Lebanese 85% of the Israeli population supported Israel's military
offensive. Today there are serious divisions within the Israeli society.
There are also the dangers of a "backlash" from Arab "streets" and
governments. All these factors are making a new catastrophic regional war a
reality.
Parliament has the responsibility to ensure that the international
community accepts its responsibility, discard its failed policies and
genuinely and urgently take decisive steps to solve the root cause of
instability i.e. the creation of a viable Palestinian state based on the
1967 borders living side by side with a secure Israeli state.
Nobody who has seen the graphic consequences of the Israeli military
offensive in Lebanon, can not remain shocked and angered
Parliament must constructively and critically express its view that
collective punishment, violation of international law and the Geneva
Convention is unacceptable.
Anger and concern of millions of people throughout the world is
manifesting itself in South Africa.
All parties must co-operate to ensure that the conflict between the
Palestinian and Israelis do not spill into our streets.
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
17 August 2006
