International relations minister Naledi Pandor has hit back at those who criticised, “peddled and twisted the truth” about her phone call with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
“I spoke to Mr Haniyeh. I did not express any support for the atrocious action that had occurred on October 7 and that I have said that is totally untrue, which has been peddled by a number of very negative people who seek to twist the truth.
“I hope this is the final time that I will have to give an answer on this matter,” Pandor told MPs on Thursday.
Details of the telephone call between Pandor and Haniyeh were laid bare during a question-and-answer session of the security cluster in the National Assembly.
Last month Haniyeh reached out to Pandor for humanitarian aid to Palestine, after the ongoing war left thousands of people dead, displaced and in need of assistance.
Answering ANC MP Xola Nqola, who asked the minister about steps South Africa was taking to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and the phone call that “has got everybody abuzz”, Pandor explained it was the Hamas leadership that expressed their wish to speak to her.
She said South Africa’s intention to bring about a peaceful resolution requires the ability to talk to all parties just as it advised with the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Following that request from Hamas, I indeed had a call with them. I did dial the number provided by the Hamas leaders’ office because they could not dial directly to South Africa, given the bandwidth and other prohibitions at the time.”
She clarified that she has never received a request from the Israeli government or “any other personality”.
ACDP’s Wayne Thring had earlier asked Pandor to explain if she had made a similar call to the Israeli leaders after the war erupted on October 7.
Pandor said: “The policy position of the government of South Africa has always been that there should be a two-state solution. This is something that the actions of Israel have clearly indicated is not desired, but it is our belief and much of the world, including the majority of member states of the United Nations, that this is the only solution to achieving peace and security for the people of Israel and Palestine.”
We do not seek to prescribe nor impose our will on any peace process. We’ve always indicated our willingness to share our experience and to play a role should it be wanted in the Palestine-Israel conflict
Pandor said South Africa’s interest in the conflict in the Middle East was to support a negotiated process between Israel and Palestine, led by Israelis and Palestinians and supported by those who would initiate this process and any that may be invited.
“We hope that South Africa will be party to that, but if we are not, if the process results in peace for both nations, we would be satisfied,” Pandor said.
The minister said in seeking to advance the Middle East peace process, South Africa’s strategy has included intensifying its work with solidarity campaigns, NGOs, national parliaments, other governments and the UN.
“We are keen that should there be a peace process, should we be invited, should our participation be sought, South Africa will play a role, but the most important objective at this time is to end the killing.”
On humanitarian aid, Pandor said one of the ways South Africa has been providing support, is through regular and consistent financial contributions to emergency humanitarian appeals from the UN, humanitarian agencies and individual national governments faced with natural or man-made disasters.
“With respect to collaboration, we have been in discussions with agencies such as Gift of the Givers, International Red Cross and other civil society organisations to identify opportunities for partnerships to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories.”
South Africa has provided diplomatic support, through liaison with the Egyptian government, for NGOs to transport humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah (border) Crossing.
“We do not seek to prescribe nor impose our will on any peace process. We’ve always indicated our willingness to share our experience and to play a role should it be wanted in the Palestine-Israel conflict.”
Pandor said she would suggest UDM’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa’s proposal for a continental approach involving a visit by AU leaders to both nations.
She said SA was pro-Palestine, as explained in her ministerial statement on Tuesday, in that South Africa has always been concerned about the oppressed and assisting the oppressed to get freedom.
“Hence our seemingly overbearing, to some members, support for Palestine, is due to the fact that they are the ones that exist and live under oppression and injustice. However, being the very fair people that we are, we recognise the right of Israel to exist, hence our belief that the only way to achieve peace is through a two-state solution.”
Pandor said it has not been possible for South Africa to make the contribution that it would like to, in relieving the plight of Palestinians living in the West Bank and in the Gaza territory.
“We believe that much more must be done, but most trucks bearing humanitarian aid have been prevented from entering through the Rafah Crossing. In fact, some of the humanitarian aid trucks and workers have come under fire and have had to return to Egypt or give up the attempt to provide aid.”
At this point all South Africa can do is to encourage a cessation of hostilities and the opening up of safe corridors for the entry and transport of humanitarian aid, she added.
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