South Africa: The South African President Office has stated that the BRICS groups of nations will hold an Extraordinary Joint Meeting on November 21, 2023, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
According to the statement, South African President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, will chair the virtual meeting, which will also be attended by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Significantly, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, will also take part in the meeting.
As per the statement, in the meeting, the South African President will deliver an opening speech, followed by speeches from invited states and members, on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Later in the meeting, a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to Gaza will be adopted. The meeting is also open to new BRICS entrants whose full membership commences next year, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE. China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that President, Mr. Xi Jinping, will attend the virtual summit.
Israel announced war against Hamas after it launched an attack on the country on October 7 and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with around 240 people taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party often linking it to its own struggle against apartheid.
Mr. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a Minister in the President’s office, said that all diplomatic personnel stationed in Tel Aviv will be called to return to Pretoria for consultations, without providing further details.
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