Palestine
Palestine is a territory in the Middle East comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem claimed as its capital. The State of Palestine was proclaimed in 1988 by the Palestine Liberation Organisation and has since been recognised by more than 130 countries, though it holds non-member observer state status at the United Nations rather than full membership. The territory is home to about five-million Palestinians and has a developing economy heavily constrained by the Israeli occupation, restrictions on movement and access to resources, and recurring conflict. Key economic sectors include agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, construction and services, though unemployment remains high and the economy depends significantly on international aid and remittances. The Palestinian Authority, established under the 1990s Oslo Accords, exercises limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank, while Gaza has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Palestine's currency is primarily the Israeli shekel, though Jordanian dinars and US dollars also circulate. The territory is a member of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Palestine's political status remains one of the most contentious issues in international relations, with ongoing negotiations over statehood, borders, refugees and Jerusalem's status. The question of Palestinian statehood and relations with Israel frequently features in African diplomatic discourse, particularly within forums such as the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Palestine Updates
SAJFP demands release of abducted Global Sumud Flotilla activists
19th May 2026 The latest illegal abduction of Global Sumud Flotilla activists by Israeli military forces in international waters has seen several South African... →
Beyond Survival: Palestinian Private Sector Resilience in Times of Crisis
19th May 2026 In Palestine, business is more than trade, it is resilience, dignity, and survival. Our latest newsletter highlights how Oxfam and Palestinian... →
Loud Explosions, Silenced Cries: Reflections on the War in Gaza
18th May 2026 This compelling anthology is a diverse collection of essays and poetry emerging from South Africa in response to the painful realities and deep... →
Lamola shrugs as Gauteng Speaker signs MoU with sanctioned Russian counterpart
21st April 2026 In a reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola,... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa President, to the Global Progressive Mobilisation Plenary during working visit to Spain (18/04/2026)
20th April 2026 The resurgence in unlawful wars of aggression and genocide in places like Palestine are linked to ideologies of superiority that continue to treat... →
Daily Podcast – April 08, 2026
By: Halima Frost 8th April 2026 Making headlines: South Africa accredits new US envoy amid tensions with Trump; DA’s Rasilingwane says Ekurhuleni ‘leadership crisis’ fuels her bid... →
EFF celebrates Iran’s ‘strategic victory’ following ceasefire with Trump
By: Thabi Shomolekae 8th April 2026 The Economic Freedom Fighters has reiterated its call for international accountability for US President Donald Trump, as it commended Iran’s... →
SA: Blade Nzimande: Address by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, for the seminar on “Fidel and Mandela: The legacy of great leaders,” University of Pretoria (24/03/2026)
27th March 2026 Given the prevailing geopolitical environment, the choice of topic for today’s discussion is profoundly timely. We are honouring and celebrating... →
The Presidency notes Israel’s response in International Court of Justice case on application of Genocide Convention
16th March 2026 The South African government has noted the filing of Israel's response to South Africa’s written pleadings in the case of Application of the... →
SACP condemns US-Israel’s killing of Iranian leader
By: Thabi Shomolekae 2nd March 2026 The South African Communist Party said on Monday that the targeting of high-ranking government officials violates all rules of international norms... →
