President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences on the passing of Palestine’s first female Ambassador and activist Leila Shahid.
Shahid passed away at the age of 76 in France.
The President described Shahid’s passing as a “moment of sadness that ripples from the ruins of a brutalised Palestine to places all over the world where we remain resolute in our solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle for freedom”.
“Leila Shahid leaves us while the State of Israel perpetuates the excessive violence and disregard of international law that Leila witnessed, fought against and brought to the attention of the international community during her decades of activism.
“As an anthropologist, she sought to preserve the cultural history of the people of Palestine who suffered and continue to suffer recurrent attacks on their identity, dignity and political and physical security.
“She campaigned for the freedom of Palestine until the end of her extraordinary life, and her passing is a moment for appreciating the full extent of her leadership and ensuring that her vision of a free Palestine is realised in our lifetime. May her soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said in a statement on Thursday. -SAnews.gov.za
