In his address at the UN General Assembly, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that his country cannot remain silent on the escalating violence in Gaza, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis there that has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives and resulted in the complete destruction of essential infrastructure. He strongly condemned both the initial Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli military response, which he described as an act of 'collective punishment' against the people of Gaza.
Guterres's alarm over the rising tide of 'impunity, inequality, and uncertainty' resonates with many world leaders, particularly those from Africa. They share a collective concern regarding modern civilization's trajectory, which he described as leading towards a 'powder keg that risks engulfing the world.' The call for unity in addressing these pressing global issues reflects an underlying recognition of the unsustainable conditions that threaten peace and human dignity, urging for immediate action.
Drawing comparisons between the situation in Gaza and the historic oppression faced by South Africans under apartheid, Ramaphosa articulated a deep sense of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. He remarked that the pain of systemic oppression is a familiar sentiment for South Africans, thus inspiring his robust condemnation of the violence in Gaza and rallying support for humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict.
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