At the same time, South African MPs are expected to discuss a motion calling for the closure

 of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and the severance of all diplomatic relations with Israel

 until it agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza .

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Edited by| Hugh Gey

 

Politic section -  CJ journalist

 

Pretoria - November,16,2023

 

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South African President Matamela Ramaphosa announced that his country has filed a

 complaint with the International Criminal Court in order to investigate "war crimes"

 committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Ramaphosa said that his country believes that Israel is " committing war crimes and

 genocides in the Gaza Strip," in which thousands of Palestinians have been killed, in addition

 to destroying hospitals and public infrastructure.

"In South Africa, together with many other countries around the world, we filed this

 complaint against Israel with the International Criminal Court, because we believe that

 there are war crimes being committed there,"Ramaphosa said during his visit to Qatar,

 Wednesday.

"Of course, we do not condone the steps taken by Hamas earlier, but we equally condemn

 the current Israeli measures, and we believe that they warrant an investigation by the

 International Criminal Court,"he said.

The ruling African National Congress party, led by Ramaphosa, said it would support the

 proposal put forward by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party to close the

 embassy of Israel and sever diplomatic relations with it.