DA condemns Hamas' unprovoked attack, urges immediate end to violence

7 October 2023

The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns Hamas' unprovoked attack on Israeli territory today during the religious holiday of Simchat Torah.

The DA urgently calls on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to unequivocally condemn this unprovoked attack and join the international community in their calls for an immediate end to this rapidly escalating violence.

The DA condemns this senseless violence and all acts of terror against innocent civilians, women and children and calls for aggressors to this conflict to immediately withdraw.

We stand united with the global community in our call for the release of Israeli civilians who are currently being held hostage across several cities in the south of Israel.

The DA continues to support a viable and sustainable two-state solution based on UNSC resolutions 242 and 338. While we recognise the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, we equally recognise the right of the Israeli state to defend herself and her people.

We urge all parties to this historic conflict to return to the negotiating table to find a mutually agreed pathway to lasting peace.

Issued by Emma Powell, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, 7 October 2023