South Africa on Monday, February 23, 2026, issued a forceful call at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva for all UN member states to formally recognize Palestinian statehood and demonstrate unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people amid what Pretoria described as Israel's ongoing unlawful occupation and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola delivered the statement during a high-level segment of the Council's 58th session, reiterating South Africa's long-standing position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "We continue to appeal for an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation, an end to the ongoing genocide, together with efforts to permanently displace the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank," Lamola declared. He emphasized: "South Africa reiterates unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people."
Lamola's remarks come against the backdrop of South Africa's landmark legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In December 2023, Pretoria filed a case accusing Israel of breaching its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. The ICJ has since issued multiple provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide, ensure humanitarian access, and preserve evidence, though the main case remains ongoing with no final ruling.
The South African minister highlighted the human toll of the conflict, noting that more than 72,000 Palestinians—predominantly women and children—have been killed and over 171,000 injured since October 2023, according to Gaza's Health Ministry figures widely cited by UN agencies. These numbers reflect the devastating impact of Israel's military campaign, which has destroyed vast swathes of civilian infrastructure, displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, and triggered acute famine conditions in parts of the enclave.
Lamola also expressed deep concern over attacks on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, the independent expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as broader threats to special procedures mandate holders. "Special procedures mandate holders play a key role promoting and protecting human rights and they must be protected," he stated, condemning efforts to undermine these independent mechanisms.
The foreign minister situated South Africa's stance within wider anxieties about the international system, warning of "attacks on multilateralism, the unpredictable geopolitical dynamics, and the erosion of a rules-based international order." In this context, he affirmed Pretoria's commitment to "constructive dialogue" and the defense of universal values, pledging to leverage its current membership on the Human Rights Council to combat all forms of discrimination—including racism and racial discrimination—and to advance women's empowerment and gender equality.
South Africa's vocal advocacy on Palestine has deep historical roots, shaped by parallels drawn between apartheid-era oppression and the Palestinian experience under occupation. The African National Congress (ANC)-led government has consistently supported Palestinian self-determination, backed BDS campaigns, recalled its ambassador from Israel in protest periods, and maintained diplomatic relations at a low level. The ICJ genocide case marked a significant escalation, positioning South Africa as a leading voice among Global South nations critical of Israel's actions and Western responses.
Israel has categorically rejected the genocide allegations, describing them as baseless and antisemitic, and has accused South Africa of acting as a proxy for Hamas. Jerusalem maintains that its military operations are lawful self-defense against terrorism, aimed at dismantling Hamas's military capabilities while minimizing civilian harm, though international human rights organizations have documented widespread violations of international humanitarian law.
The Human Rights Council session occurs amid stalled ceasefire efforts in Gaza. A fragile truce brokered in late 2025 has held intermittently, but sporadic violence, settlement expansion in the West Bank, and humanitarian blockages continue to fuel tensions. Calls for Palestinian state recognition have gained traction in several countries and international forums, though major powers including the United States maintain that statehood must emerge from direct negotiations rather than unilateral recognition.
Lamola's address reflects South Africa's broader foreign policy priorities: championing multilateralism, opposing what it perceives as selective application of international law, and amplifying Global South perspectives on issues of colonialism, occupation, and self-determination. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2025–2026 and now active on the Human Rights Council, Pretoria has used these platforms to push for accountability, humanitarian relief, and a just political resolution to the conflict.
The statement drew applause from delegations of several Arab, African, and Latin American states, while drawing criticism from Israel and some Western allies who argue it overlooks Hamas's role and the security threats Israel faces. With the war now in its fourth year and Gaza's reconstruction needs estimated in the tens of billions of dollars, South Africa's renewed appeal underscores the persistent divisions within the international community over how to achieve lasting peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.
As the Human Rights Council debates continue, South Africa's position serves as a reminder of the enduring resonance of anti-colonial narratives in shaping Global South diplomacy and the ongoing struggle to uphold human rights amid protracted conflict.
