South African Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Ronnie Kasrils has demanded that the Israeli government reverse “all unilateral actions [against the Palestinians] including the separation wall”, his department said on Tuesday.
“I sympathise with the Palestinian people and demand that Israel cease and reverse all unilateral actions including the separation wall,” Kasrils said in a statement after a five-day visit to the Middle East.
Kasrils arrived in the Middle East on February 13 after receiving an invitation from Palestinian Agriculture Minister Rawhi Fattouh.
The Israelis last year began building their much-maligned “anti-terror fence”, which cuts into Palestine’s West Bank, to prevent would-be suicide bombers from infiltrating its territory.
It consists of a montage of razor wire, electronic fencing, concrete and ditches, which stretch for more than 700km.
The department said on Tuesday Kasrils and Fattouh signed an agreement that seeks to initiate and promote cooperation between their departments.
A memorandum of understanding was signed, laying the basis for cooperation in the fields of water management, harvesting and conservation.
The memorandum includes experience in international transboundary water agreements, drought mitigation, combating desertification, afforestation and other related fields.
The agreement includes, but is not limited to, training courses and workshops, study tours, exchange of expertise and visits, and the exchange of information, as well as research results.
A detailed plan of action to carry out the memorandum will be produced in the coming two years.
The department said Kasrils and his delegation paid a courtesy call to Palestinian President Yassar Arafat and met top officials of the ruling Palestinian National Authority.
Before meeting Arafat, Kasrils went on a walkabout on sites affected by the separation wall, and met farmers and community representatives. — Sapa
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