South Africa condemns Israel’s 'shameful' attacks on civilians in Palestine

The South African government has strongly condemned Israel's "shameful" and "unjust" violent assault against Palestinians in Jerusalem and Gaza and called for the Israeli government to be investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

In a statement released on Sunday, the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa also urged Israel to halt the planned evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem.

"The South African government strongly condemns the unjust attacks on civilians by Israel in Gaza and Jerusalem," the statement read.

"The continued escalation of attacks by Israel on Palestinians in Gaza is totally unjust and shameful, particularly the targeting of the most vulnerable section of the Palestinian community, children, women and the elderly.

"South Africa also urges Israel to stop all planned evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah area. Disturbing images of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestinians, which violate UN resolutions, justifies an urgent call for the intervention of the international community and to have the Israeli government’s conduct investigated and referred to the ICC for crimes against humanity."