Johannesburg — PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma told the opening of the national conference of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies on Saturday night that the only "viable" solution for the Israeli- Palestinian conflict was one that "ended the occupation that began in 1967", when Israel occupied Sinai, the Suez canal, West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

"It is a solution that fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, adjoining, and viable state of Palestine," said Zuma.

Zuma said SA supported the United Nations position on the issue and "unequivocally" condemned "all forms of violence from whatever quarter, particularly where civilians are targeted".

Zuma also told the packed auditorium in the Sandton Sun that although SA was made up of diverse communities, "our individual identities as different groups must not be above our national identity".

The South African Jewish community has been called one of the most tightly knit in the world, overwhelmingly united in its support for Israel.

"Much as we are conscious of who we are culturally and otherwise, it must not take away the national identity, as we should be South Africans first," Zuma said.

Board chairman Zev Krengel urged the audience to contribute towards building the SA "that we can and will be".

Krengel thanked Zuma for not seeing the country as a "melting pot" but rather as a "fruit salad" -- where different communities could maintain their unique identities.