The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa said it believes that political parties should stand on the “right side of history” and support the just cause of Palestinians right to self-determination.

The Embassy has called on the Democratic Alliance (DA), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to revaluate their respective policies and positions on Palestinian rights.

On Saturday, the militant group Hamas launched a large-scale invasion and offensive against Israel from the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of people on both sides have died.

On Saturday, the DA condemned what it called an unprovoked attack on Israel's territory by Hamas.

ACDP said the attacks were "unprovoked" and condemned them.

"The ACDP condemns these unprovoked attacks in the strongest possible terms that has led to the loss of many lives, including that of innocent civilians. Israel has a right to defend itself and must do everything in its power to defend itself and protect its civilians from such indiscriminate and violent attacks," it said.

The PA wrote to the Israeli embassy in South Africa, voicing its condemnation of the attacks by Hamas.  

It said, “There is no ‘cause’ that can justify the murder of children, whether they be Palestinian or Israeli. South Africa should be playing a role of encouraging dialogue and the emergence of true leadership from within the territories of Palestine instead of falling for the lie that Hamas represents anything but terrorism sponsored gleefully in the shadows by hatred.”

The Palestinian Embassy in South Africa urged the international community to “recognise that Palestinians are responding to the Israeli brutal occupation, illegal colonisation, human rights violations, arbitrary detentions, daily humiliations and the inhumane siege of Gaza”.

The Palestinian Embassy commended the South African government, citizens, political parties and faith groups for their solidarity and called for continued support for Palestinian rights.

It noted that the African National Congress, the South African Communist Party, The Economic Freedom Fighters, as well as organisations such as the Africa4Palestine, Al-Quds Foundation, Jamaitul Ulama, Palestine Solidarity Alliance, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa, the South African BDS Coalition, and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa have issued powerful statements in support of Palestine.

“We thank them for their solidarity, which reflects the shared values of justice, the right of nations to self-determination, and respect for human rights that unite the Palestinian and South African struggles,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy said that it looked forward to continued cooperation with South African partners in the pursuit of peace, justice, and the realisation of the rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of a viable Palestinian independent State.