SA condemns attack on Israeli soldiers in Jerusalem

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Pretoria - South Africa says it is opposed to any violent actions in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Pretoria calls upon both countries to commit to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, adding that they are readily available to offer assistance in restarting negotiations between the two countries.

“As South Africa, we regard political dialogue and engagement as key in finding a lasting sustainable peaceful solution. The killing of the soldiers in Jerusalem should not be a justification for continued attacks and counter attacks which will only worsen the already precarious situation,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Tuesday.

The call by South Africa comes after the attack on its four young cadet soldiers in Israel in a truck incident that took place on Monday, in east Jerusalem.

A Palestinian truck driver rammed his vehicle into a crowd of Israeli soldiers at a popular Jerusalem tourist spot, killing the four and wounding 17 others in what has been described as the deadliest single attack of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

President Jacob Zuma has extended the country’s condolences to the government of Israel following the attack.

“As we condemn the killing of the soldiers, we also call upon the parties in conflict to respect the international law, decisions of all the United Nations agencies and councils which help us to navigate peacefully the political problems bedevilling Israel and Palestine,” said President Zuma. – SAnews.gov.za