The Inkatha Freedom Party today denounced a recent statement made by the Palestine Solidarity Committee of South Africa, COSATU and the South African Council of Churches calling for the withdrawal of the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa and for sanctions to be imposed against Israel. 

"We believe that in any conflict there are two sides to the story. The IFP therefore condemns the statement by the Palestine Solidarity Committee and its supporters as biased and we believe that a one-sided approach must be avoided at all costs. Furthermore, we do not believe that removing the Israeli ambassador will in anyway assist in solving the escalating crisis in the Middle East," said Rev Musa Zondi, the IFP's Secretary General. 

The IFP believes that as a member of the international community, we must do everything in our power to persuade world leaders to assist both sides, through negotiation, to reach an amicable and workable solution.  

"We sadly regret the increase in violence, which has seen so many innocent lives lost. The IFP therefore calls on both Hamas and the Israeli government to stop their mutual attacks and for an immediate and fully respected cease-fire, which must put a permanent end to the war in that strife-torn region," concluded Rev Zondi.