The IFP believes that the latest application by the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to the UN General Assembly for non-member status for Palestine must be seen as an on-going demonstration by a people desperately seeking sympathy from an international system that can eventually facilitate the reality of international statehood for Palestine.

IFP spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr MB Skosana MP, said, "This application, and its approval, should make us all optimistic for a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestine, while on the other hand the quest of Hamas for the destruction of Israel contributes a threat to international peace and security. The UN General Assembly should have condemned this in the same breath that it approved non-member observer status for Palestine."

The IFP stands by its conviction that the right of Israel to existence and self-determination must be protected under international law. So should the independence and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

Looking at the way forward, Skosana said, "At this stage, what is important for the UN General Assembly is to promote a direct political dialogue between Israel and Palestine. In this way the two state solution sought by the Oslo Accord, with its fundamental principles, can be realised."