Admin
10 Oct, 2025
Justice must prevail: UDM applauds flotilla mission and reaffirms support for ICJ process
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes home the six South African activists who were detained after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla on its humanitarian mission to Gaza. The Party salutes Nkosi Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Carolyn Shelver, Zaheera Soomar, Dr Fatima Hendricks and Reaz Moola for their courage and solidarity with the people of Palestine. Their safe return to South African soil is a relief to their families and to all who value human rights and compassion. Yet their ordeal should trouble every conscience. The activists have spoken of terrifying experiences at the hands of Israeli forces. They described rifles being pointed at their heads, religious garments being torn off, humiliation, intimidation and degrading treatment. Dr Hendricks, a cancer survivor, recounted being stripped of her hijab and mocked by soldiers while in detention. These are not acts of security enforcement but violations of human dignity. The UDM condemns the abuse of humanitarian workers in the strongest possible terms. Those who deliver food, medicine and hope must never be treated as enemies. Their testimonies must be documented and investigated by international human rights bodies. The state of Israel must be held fully accountable for its actions and must respect international humanitarian law. This incident also comes at a time when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is preparing to rule on Israel’s obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories. The world awaits this ruling with great anticipation. It was South Africa that brought this matter before the Court, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank amount to violations of the Genocide Convention and other fundamental principles of international law. In its earlier provisional orders, the ICJ directed Israel to prevent acts that could constitute genocide and to allow unimpeded humanitarian access. The forthcoming advisory opinion is therefore not an abstract legal exercise, but a continuation of a process initiated by South Africa in defence of international justice and human rights. Our country must continue to play a leading role in ensuring that these legal processes are respected and that the authority of the ICJ is upheld. This is both a legal duty and a moral obligation rooted in our own struggle for freedom, equality and dignity. The return of our compatriots should not mark the end of our concern but the strengthening of our resolve. Their courage reminds us that solidarity with the oppressed is not an act of charity but of justice. The UDM reaffirms that peace in the Middle East will only be achieved through justice and respect for human rights. The protection of civilians, the integrity of international law, and the equal dignity of all people must guide every nation’s actions.
Admin
01 Jul, 2020
Donald Trump’s so-called Israeli-Palestinian peace plan is a recipe for disaster
The long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is well documented, but United States President Donald Trump’s “peace plan” might put peace between Israel and the Palestinians even further out of reach. It is an extreme pity that former President Nelson Mandela’s efforts to end their struggle was left to peter out. However, history has taught us that, whenever the United States attempts to solve problems in the region it always appears to be that they support one faction or country against another, instead of following an inclusive approach. The United Democratic Movement believes that a deeply conceited United States is abusing its influence and power, to “give us an idea of what the world should look like according to Trump” (and therefore America). This style of diplomacy will surely not bring lasting peace to the region. South Africa, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, has a responsibility to oppose any act that might escalate an already untenable situation to full-blown war. We also call on the United States and her president to act soberly and to not abuse their might as their current pro-Israel stance is not conducive to finding a solution that will work for both sides.
