Qana: Humanity gone mad

2006-07-31 18:43

Pretoria - Israel's attack on Qana in Lebanon on Sunday was "humanity gone mad", deputy minister of foreign affairs Aziz Pahad said.

The South African government on Monday condemned Israel's military action and called on the United Nations security council "to accept its responsibility" and do the same.

"We cannot accept a feeling that we are all helpless while the world slowly but surely moves to a situation that would have catastrophic consequences for all of us," Pahad said.

International law violated

The UN security council had an obligation to condemn Israel's "collective punishment", which he said violated international law and the Geneva Convention.

"Clearly, what we are seeing there is that both sides have violated international law and the Geneva Convention. Our argument is that the level [of violence] is so different that we have to deal with the major element of this while dealing with Hezbollah," he said.

"It is incumbent on the stronger power to ensure that civilians are protected," Pahad added.

Chicken and egg situation

South African was convinced that the only way for a comprehensive solution was a ceasefire followed by negotiations to ensure lasting peace in the region.

"It is not time to start debating the chicken and egg situation, who first carried out an action and who retaliated," Pahad said.

Boycott, diplomatic ties

Meanwhile he said government wished to have a meeting with organisations, including the Congress of SA Trade Unions, who had called for a boycott of Israel and diplomatic ties with that country to be severed.

"We as government are very keen that they collectively come and have a discussion with us, so that we understand their demands. But whatever action we take must contribute to finding a solution," Pahad said.

The raid on Qana killed 52 people, more than half of them children.

- SAPA