Speaking in an interview with FRANCE 24, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Israeli actions against the Palestinians remind him of the crimes of apartheid committed in South Africa under white rule, pointing out that South Africa stands by the Palestinians.

“We as South Africans,” said Ramaphosa, “are most concerned because the images that we've been seeing of a people being prevented from moving around; of a people whose homes are being destroyed; of people who have been driven out of their homes before they are bombed; of Israeli soldiers manhandling people, all bring back terrible memories of our own history, and apartheid.”

He explained that when South Africans see those images they can't but side with the Palestinians. “Our country's support for the people of Palestine is based on principles.”