Johannesburg,South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to be tolerance of each other when it comes to the Israel and Palestine conflict which has divided the country and the world as whole.

He was speaking through his weekly newsletter "From The Desk Of The President" whereby he usually use it communicate with the citizens about government priorities and achievements for the country.

He said it is now over a month since the attacks in Israel that unleashed a terrible spiral of violence in which civilians have been the biggest casualties.

He added that according to authorities,more than 1,200 people were killed in the attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October and more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed to date in Gaza as a result of Israeli Defence Force bombardments since then.More than 60% of the people killed in Gaza are reported to be women and children.

He mentioned that he is aware that even in South Africa and around the world had demonstrations which showed solidarity with Israel and Palestine.

"As the bombardment of Gaza continues,there have been pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world,as well as those expressing solidarity with Israel.There have been a number of such events in our own country,convened by civil society organisations,political parties and religious groupings.

"What is happening in Israel,Gaza and the West Bank provokes strong emotions.

"For some,the murder of Israelis and the abduction of hostages on 7 October has further hardened sentiment that Israel has the right to use whatever means at its disposal to defend itself.At the same time,there are others who view the collective punishment of the people of Gaza by the Israeli government as a war crime.

"The conflict between Israel and Palestine has long been a polarising conflict that has deepened divisions in societies and communities way beyond the Middle East.

"Yet no matter how strong our views on this matter,we must guard against this conflict turning us against each other as South Africans,"he said.

He condemned a confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters which took place in Cape Town .

He said last week,police had to intervene in a confrontation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters at a demonstration in Cape Town.While this incident is troubling and unacceptable,we must commend all those South Africans who have participated in orderly and peaceful demonstrations in parts of our country.

He maintained that South African constitution allows everyone to their views to exercise their rights and does not promotes hate amongst its people.

"Our Constitution protects everyone's right to freedom of opinion and expression,to freedom of association and to demonstrate.It also requires that all demonstrations must be peaceful and that freedom of expression does not extend to the advocacy of hatred based on race,ethnicity,gender or religion that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

"There is no place in South Africa for violence or threats of violence against those who hold contrary views.Nor is there any place for any form of prejudice,racism or chauvinism.

"As emotive as the Israel-Palestine issue may be for many of our citizens,particularly given our own history of discrimination and oppression,we must not let it deepen divisions between us.

"We are a society that prides itself on its tolerance and respect.

"Successive democratic administrations have upheld the constitutional rights of all individuals and groups in this country.We have enforced these rights through our courts,including the Equality Court,and through institutions like the South African Human Rights Commission,the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural,Religious and Linguistic Communities,and others,"he added.

He dismissed an article which was written by South African Jewish organisation in a leading Israel newspaper and he emphasised that South Africa would stand with people of Palestine up until they get their freedom like everyone else and anti-Semitism has no place in this country.

"It was disappointing therefore to read an article in a leading Israeli newspaper by a representative of a local Jewish organisation suggesting that our government is 'encouraging pogroms' against the South African Jewish community.

"This has never happened in the history of democratic South Africa,nor will it ever be allowed to happen.

"As a government and as a people,we stand firm in our call for justice for the oppressed Palestinian people,for their rights and aspirations to be fulfilled,for the immediate cessation of hostilities,and for there to be accountability for the deplorable killings of civilians in this recent conflict.We maintain that peace will not be possible until Palestinians are free.

"Yet,support for the Palestinian struggle cannot be equated with anti-Semitism.There is no place in our country for prejudice directed against any individual or community on the basis of race,religion,belief,political view or sexual orientation.

"In a free and democratic society such as ours,where divergent views are respected and protected by law,we will continue to uphold everyone's right to advocate and demonstrate peacefully,be they pro-Israel or pro-Palestine.

"As a people with our own painful history of discrimination,racism and prejudice,let us remember our personal duty to be tolerant and respectful of others.

"Let us promote dialogue and meaningful engagement so that,as South Africans,we may work together to support the realisation of just,peaceful and secure future for the people of both Palestine and Israel.

"Above all,let our painful history be a reminder of the heavy cost of a divided nation that has turned against itself.When it comes to freedom,equality and justice,we must be one,"he concluded.

This week South African political parties are expected to vote on expulsion of an Israeli ambassador in the country because EFF and ANC believe that is not right to have diplomatic relations with an apartheid state of Israel which has discriminated,oppressed and killed Palestinians since 1948 till now despite calls from an international community to stop the illegal occupation of Palestine land.