Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the international community should denounce the apartheid practices that are being employed by Israel to maintain its dominance over the Palestinian people.
The minister said this in a statement read on her behalf during a panel discussion on the ‘Importance of upholding the principle of self-determination and non-discrimination – justice for the Palestinian people’ on Tuesday, which follows a crisis that was triggered when Palestinians began protests last month due tan alleged series of controversial Israeli actions in Jerusalem, prompting reactions from world leaders.
The discussion was attended by panellists from various countries including South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Riyad Al-Maliki.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said having gone through an experience similar to that of Palestine, Namibia knows that for as long as the people are denied their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, tension, frustration, anger and hatred will continue to occur.
She added that a political dialogue that addresses the injustice of occupation based on the pre-1967 borders and in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions is the only way to ensure peaceful relations between Israel and Palestine.
“No peace is achievable without renewed political process and engagement to stabilise and to heal,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to include crimes against humanity in its investigations as it investigates crimes within its material scope that might have been committed on the territory of Palestine.
“We should remain on the side of respecting and upholding international law and call for justice and non-discrimination of the people of Palestine,” she said.
Concluding, Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment and full solidarity with the cause of the Palestinian people.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
