THE South African government on Friday afternoon said it was gravely concerned by reports that Israel was massing troops on its border with the Gaza Strip.
”It strongly urges Israeli to re-consider any plans to undertake further military actions within the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in high density civilian areas such as Palestinian controlled towns and refugee camps,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
South Africa also reiterated its total condemnation of all acts of terror targeting civilians.
”We share the sorrow of Israel in the wake of the bomb blast in Rishon Letzion on Tuesday. However, this tragic attack should serve to demonstrate to the Israeli government that excessive use of military force is not delivering peace and security to Israel,” Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said.
”The legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for statehood must urgently be met in order to put acts of terror behind us forever.”
The statement said the government was ”very pleased to note” that the Palestinian police had already arrested 16 Hamas members in connection with terrorist activities, despite impediments to their operational capacity caused by Israeli blockades, military attacks and incursions.
”The South African government fully supports the statement made by President (Yasser) Arafat following the bomb blast in Rishon Letzion in which he re-iterated his backing for the international fight against terrorism.”
Arafat had also asked for the assistance of the international community to protect and support the Palestinian security forces ”whose infrastructure was destroyed by the Israeli occupation, so that they can carry out their duties and execute the orders issued to them to definitely eliminate any attempts to carry out a terrorist attack,” the statement read.
”To this end the South African government continues to support fully President Arafat’s call for the important deployment of an international force to help us put an end to the aggression and impose peace.”
Pahad said the international community must heed the call of Arafat in regard to assisting him fulfil his stated aim of eliminating violence against Israeli citizens. – Sapa