The South African government on Monday condemned the recent attack on various Palestinian cities by Israeli forces, saying the strikes would further inflate the political situation in the Middle East.

"South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad .. expressed his deep concern about the reports on May 25 of Israeli military forces attacking various Palestinian cities and towns and the arrests of 41 Palestinians, including the Minister of Education, Dr Alshare(Nasser al-Deen Shaer), members of the Legislative Council, mayors and ordinary citizens," said a statement issued by the foreign ministry.

Pahad said the attacks and Israel's rejection of the Palestinian offer of ceasefire made it difficult for peace to prevail in the region.

"This will seriously threaten regional stability and international peace and security," he said.

Pahad called on the Israeli military to stop its military actions and create the necessary climate for negotiations to take place.

He also appealed to the Palestinians to stop rocket attacks into Israel.

"Such attacks were detrimental to the aspirations of the Palestinian people, strongly supported by South Africa, for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace with Israel, within internationally recognized borders," he said.

Pahad urged that the international community should intervene and act decisively to end the violence and to intensify efforts to find a long-term negotiated solution.

Source: Xinhua