South African President Jacob Zuma has called on both sides in
the Israeli-Hamas conflict to cease hostilities and reach for a
lasting solution. While decrying the killing of hundreds of
innocent civilians by Israeli forces as unacceptable, President
Zuma also called on Hamas to cease their campaign against Israel.
“We are outraged by the killing of civilians by Israel; some in United
Nations shelters. We also condemn the killing of Israeli civilians by
Hamas”, he said. “We call upon all sides to lay down arms and settle
for a negotiated solution” he added.
President Zuma was speaking at a special luncheon held in his honor
by the National Press Club at their headquarters in Washington DC on
the sidelines of the African Leaders Summit currently underway. Over
45 African heads of government are in the US capital to confer with
President Barack Obama on issues such as investment, poverty,
terrorism, corruption and deadly diseases.
President Zuma said South Africa has a lot to share with both sides of
the conflict in terms of experience and that they are ready to do so.
He said having come out of a period of suppressed liberties during
the apartheid era, South Africa associated with the pain of the
Palestinian people but also understood the Israeli situation. “We
believe we have an example as a country; an experience that we can
offer the two sides”
He however played down calls on him by a pro-Palestinian protest in
South Africa a few weeks ago to expel the Israeli ambassador to his
country.
“As a free country, a country with free expression, people indicated
how they are feeling and made that call. But we believe calling an
ambassador is not just a simple matter”, he said. He advised that
taking rash decisions could rather have a negative effect of finding a
lasting solution to the crisis.
Mr. Zuma was accompanied by the First Lady and an entourage of
diplomats also spoke about investment opportunities in South Africa
and the role the country is prepared to assume in Africa. He hinted
that mining and energy, particularly hydro-electric, solar and nuclear
would be a focal point of creating jobs and investment opportunities
in South Africa and beyond.
The event was also attended by American civil rights icon Rev. Jesse
Jackson.

http://saharareporters.com/2014/08/05/zuma-calls-cessation-israeli-hamas-hostilities

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