South Africa’s Minister of Public Service and Administration Noxolo Kiviet broke down in tears during her Friday visit to Turmus ‘Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, which was rampaged by settlers almost two weeks ago.
Accompanied by the Governor of Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, Laila Ghannam, Kiviet was taken to the family home of 27-year-old Omar Qattin, who was killed during the rioting. She also heard from the mayor, Lafi Shalabi, as well as several Palestinians who experienced one of the worst evenings of settler violence in history.
Besides Qattin, dozens of Palestinians were injured, while property and crops were vandalized.
Kiviet expressed her “shock” that such events are happening in 2023. “The experiences of people here are horrific, traumatizing, and sad, particularly for people who came from South Africa and lived in similar circumstances,” said the minister while stressing the similarities between the previous south-African government and the current Israeli government regarding terrorism,” she said.
“What is happening in Palestine depicts what occurred in South Africa in terms of racism and racial and religious segregation. That is why we are paying this visit to support residents, offer our condolences, and stand by them,” the minister added.
She stressed the need to implement UN resolutions and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, noting that violence will only lead to violence, and that everybody is entitled to live in peace.
