On Friday, voices of elation and jubilation echoed through the hallways of the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, where the African National Congress (ANC) was holding its three-day NEC.
ANC members were in an uproar after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that there was a prima facie case of genocide against Gaza residents and ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent further killings.
The ICJ also rejected Israel's request to dismiss South Africa's case against Israel.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the court's decision was a turning point.
He said South Africa supports the Palestinian people because they share the same painful history of apartheid.
“The world will remember us that the world never abandoned us when we faced apartheid. The world was with us as it was with us in the fight against.”
“That was true, and it still is.” [be] South Africa is right to stand on the side of justice. [acts] Eliminate injustice and the rest of humanity will agree with us. And today, this is a very important ruling, a very important judgment in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Mbalula added.
ANC NEC member Ronald Lamola, speaking in his capacity as Minister of Justice and Corrections, said South Africa had made a strong case in The Hague.
He says former President Nelson Mandela is smiling in his grave.
“Because I know we have forensically argued our case in court and I believe in the strength of our case in court and I believe in the strength of our case. is a humbling feeling and knowing in the grave that we stood on Mr. Mandela's shoulders and made him extremely proud by continuing to work on issues that he would have advocated for himself. “I believe he is smiling because, as you know, the Genocide Convention was one of the treaties he proposed,” Lamola explains.
Following the ICJ ruling and President Cyril Ramaphosa's address to the nation, the NEC adjourned early on Friday.
The meeting will be adjourned for one day and resume on Sunday to allow party members to attend the funeral of NEC member Violet Siwela.
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