Pretoria is appealing for an end to Israel's efforts to displace people in Gaza and the West Bank permanently, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola has said

South Africa has urged UN member states to formally recognize Palestinian statehood and act in solidarity with its people, stepping up its diplomatic campaign against Israel after filing a genocide case over the war in Gaza.

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola reiterated Pretoria's "unwavering support" for the Palestinian people and criticized what he called "the erosion of a rules-based international order." 

"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 said.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. More than 72,000 Palestinians have since been killed during Israel's military operation in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

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Pretoria has been among the most vocal critics of Israel's military campaign, linking Palestinian statehood to its own history of anti-apartheid struggle. It has filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza.

The latest call comes amid growing diplomatic momentum for Palestinian recognition as part of efforts to revive the two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Most of the world's countries, including Australia, Russia, China, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Canada, recognize the State of Palestine.

Pretoria's stance has drawn controversy, particularly with Washington, which has historically blocked Palestinian UN membership and remains Israel's closest ally. The US has said it supports the creation of a Palestinian state but insists it must be achieved through direct negotiations with Israel rather than unilateral recognition.

Relations between Pretoria and Washington have been strained in part due to the African country's stance against West Jerusalem's military actions in Palestinian territory.