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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said this action will hopefully put an end to the madness that has gone on over years in Gaza. It was announced yesterday that an ICC arrest warrant had been issued for President Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant.

Mr Mahumapelo said: “It took the ICC really long to resolve on this matter and this is shocking when South Africa brought to the world’s attention what was really happening in Gaza. The International Court of Justice agreed with South Africa’s application and should have at that point issued the arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu. It is better late than never, as they say.”

Israel started attacking Gaza in October 2023 following an attack on music festival attendees. Israel has since been bombing Gaza civilians indiscriminately, claiming it targeted Hamas fighters. Mr Mahumapelo said it is unacceptable that the death toll is currently at 40 000, and almost half of those were children.

“We appreciate that more and more nations have applied to join our case. South Africa will always speak against human rights abuses. We know better; we have a history of violations that apartheid State of Israel is perpetuating against Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.”

Mr Mahumapelo said although the intervention came late but still it was a good intervention that will demonstrate that super powers cannot do as they please to the violation of everyone’s else human rights. “We condemn violations of human rights from all fronts in the strongest terms. We demand peace and an end to attacks in Gaza,” reiterated Mr Mahumapelo.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo