The African National Congress (ANC) said on Thursday that it cannot sit back and watch the “genocidal actions” of the Israeli regime, as it welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the South African government has put through a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Hamas launched an assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza and has launched a ground offensive with severe civilian casualties. More than 11 000 people have been killed.

“President Ramaphosa has stated clearly that the ANC-led government as well as the ANC does not condone any form of violence directed at citizens,” the party said.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Ramaphosa revealed that the country had made a referral to the ICC, while calling for a ceasefire and once again echoing the two-State model as a solution.

Ramaphosa said the ICC needed to investigate Israel’s actions and legal measures needed to be taken at a global level.

The ANC explained that given the unfolding atrocities in occupied Palestine, it would agree to a parliamentary motion which called on government to close the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel until it agrees to a cease-fire.

It also called for binding United Nations-facilitated negotiations whose outcome must be a just, sustainable and lasting peace.

The ANC reiterated its call for a cease-fire and for humanitarian corridors to be fully operational.