The South African government is calling for a new distinction in Israel after concerns that the country’s continued occupation of “significant portions of the West Bank” and the developments of new settlements “are glaring examples of violations of international law” as the Israel-Palestine conflict continues. According to Al Jazeera, during the second meeting of the Palestinian Heads of Mission in Africa, held in the capital Pretoria, Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation said the current situation in the two-state nation is similar to their own history.

“The Palestinian narrative evokes experiences of South Africa’s own history of racial segregation and oppression,” said Pandor. “As oppressed South Africans, we experienced firsthand the effects of racial inequality, discrimination and denial and we cannot stand by while another generation of Palestinians are left behind.” Naledi Pandor also added, “As oppressed South Africans, we experienced firsthand the effects of racial inequality, discrimination and denial and we cannot stand by while another generation of Palestinians are left behind.” Pandor said Israel should be classified as an apartheid state and that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) should create a committee to “verify whether it satisfies the requirements.”