Why is Iqbal Jassat so willing to sacrifice fact and reason to defend Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor’s attacks on South Africa’s Jewish community?
Jassat wrote a scathing response to Karen Milner of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD). Milner and the SAJBD rightfully condemned the ludicrous behaviour of Pandor, who has repeatedly sided with terror groups over a sovereign state engaged in a military operation deemed legitimate even despite mountains of highly funded and emotive international attacks.
The reason for Jassat’s response can probably found in his association with the Media Review Network (MRN). Despite its innocent, professional name, the MRN is a politically charged anti-Zionist group. Its logo depicts a scimitar, emblazoned with the Jordanian flag (which has been hijacked by Palestinian groups as their own). Their website is devoted purely to attacking Israel and the Jews who feel a connection to their homeland. They are by far not a professional or unbiased organisation.
Jassat’s response in defence of Pandor immediately proceeds on the assumption that Israel is committing genocide, despite the fact that South Africa’s foolish case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) did not grant an immediate ceasefire, as was expected.
Jassat claims that the ICJ said that there is plausible evidence of genocide. This is incorrect. The ICJ stated that genocide is possible, but that it is not happening, and that Israel must continue to not commit genocide.
The ruling was the equivalent of finding a suspect innocent of murder, and then warning them to continue to not commit murder.