Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made on 24 May 2024. The ICJ ordered the immediate halting of the Israel government military offensive in Rafah, Gaza.
South Africa first brought the genocide case in front of the ICJ in January 2024 and Israel was ordered to do everything in its power to prevent genocide on the Palestinians, which Israel ignored. This was the third order by the ICJ on cases brought by South Africa before the World Court to seek justice for Palestinians.
“As South Africans, we know all too well what apartheid means and what it feels like. We also recognise that it is with the help of the international community that we were able to gain our freedom as a people indigenous to our land”, said UDM Secretary General, Yongama Zigebe.
The ruling by the ICJ is final and legally binding and since the ICJ does not have police to enforce it, the United Nations Security Council must step up an assist.
The UDM believes and supports a Palestinian statehood. It is possible to live side by side with everyone so long as a proper redress to the injustice is done.
We now call all parties to come together to resolve this unfortunate conflict through talking, war is never a solution. The UDM has always been of the view that South Africa should be playing a far more deeper role in brokering an end to all the bloodshed, by involving all the players, namely, the US, Israel, the PLO and Hamas, amongst others, for a more sustainable and permanent solution. In a UDM led government, we would want a solution that brings all the players to the table, especially now, strengthened by the court judgments and global public outcry.
We are proud of the strides that the South African government has taken to put pressure the international community to address the war on the people of Palestine”, added Zigebe.
