Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, says South Africa must use all diplomatic and legal channels, including action at the International Court of Justice, to stop Israel’s blockade on Gaza.

She says global experts have described the humanitarian consequences as being at a critical risk of famine.

Dr Ramphele says the starvation of civilians, especially children, is inhumane and contrary to global human values.

“South Africa, like all UN member states, has a duty to act against Israel’s starvation strategy in Gaza”.

Citing UN Resolution 2417, she says international law demands action to prevent conflict-related hunger.

“South Africa is presently under unprecedented economic pressure from the US which many interpret as a lever intended to erode its integrity as an advocate for equal justice. Shared human values, deeper than politics, must guide action in defense of justice and human dignity”.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ top humanitarian official has told the Security Council that Israel is deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Council convened on an urgent basis to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza.