BIRMINGHAM, England

A delegation from the British-Arab community met with South African High Commissioner to the UK Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo and commended South Africa’s stance against Israeli attacks on Gaza. 

Al-Arab in UK platform (AUK) said that the meeting held on Wednesday provided an opportunity to express the community’s gratitude to South Africa for its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

“South African Ambassador Mamabolo in London affirms the continuation of Nelson Mandela's legacy in advocating for justice in Palestine,” an AUK statement said.

In his speech, the ambassador said his country “fights and stands for the good of all humanity”, and therefore rejects any violation of human rights anywhere in the world.

“The democratic Republic of South Africa emerged from the crucible ruins of a dehumanising apartheid system. We fought against all forms of discrimination, whether based on race, religion, culture, or gender and colour. We were and still are motivated to make South Africa, Africa, and the whole world a better place to live in. The founding president of democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela, declared that South Africa will not consider herself free until the people of Palestine are free,” Mamabolo said.

“We are witnessing before our eyes the commission of genocide, indiscriminate bombing that has led to the killing of innocent civilians including women and children, even infants in incubators are at risk of being eliminated, and hospitals, churches, and refugee centers are also subjected to continuous bombing,” the South African envoy said.

He said that what is more disturbing is that “there seems to be a bankruptcy of global leadership, with countries that usually claim moral authority only when it suits them, refusing to call out and hold Israel accountable for the atrocities it commits.”

In his speech, Anas Al-Tikriti, the delegation spokesperson, said the visiting group represents more than 20 countries, ranging from the eastern Arab homeland in Iraq, Kuwait, and the Gulf states, to the far west in Morocco and Mauritania.

“This occasion, organized by the AUK, brings us together to express our deep gratitude and acknowledgment of the humane and noble stance taken by the Republic of South Africa and its people towards the genocide that the world has been witnessing in Gaza for about four months,” he added.

Al-Tikriti concluded his speech by referring to the legacy of South Africa and Nelson Mandela, and how their struggles inspired many nations in the whole world.

“This legacy adds additional value to South Africa's position today, which is considered a victory for humanity and for the justice sought by the Palestinians. I commend the document presented by South Africa to the International Court of Justice and consider it a historical document that records the crimes against the Palestinian people and represents hope in achieving justice,” he said.