PRETORIA, November 24. /TASS/. South Africa will petition the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare Israel an apartheid state, the News24 portal reported.

According to the news outlet, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that South Africa and Palestine are "currently working on formulating practical strategies towards taking up the Palestinian cause to the ICC [International Criminal Court] and ICJ <...>, to 'declare Israel as an apartheid state.'"

Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the ICC to investigate war crimes committed during the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Additionally, the South African parliament supported a proposal to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel. The lawmakers said that the measure would remain in effect until Israel agrees to a ceasefire and negotiations with the UN’s involvement.

In early November, the South African government made a decision to recall its diplomats from Israel for consultations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s authorities branded this move as the radical movement Hamas’ victory and demanded to respect the country’s right to self-defense.