South African Zionist Federation appalled at démarche issued by DIRCO against Israeli Ambassador in SA
10 November 2023
The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) is appalled by the démarche issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) against the Ambassador of Israel to South Africa.
DIRCO remains detached from the free world and the Middle East’s position against the internationally designated terrorist organisation Hamas. It is lamentable that DIRCO has chosen to side so openly with an antisemitic cult movement that is responsible for the rape, murder and abduction of hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians, including women, children and the elderly. This, while South African hostages remain in captivity by Hamas terrorists in Gaza today.
The démarche does not represent the position of most South Africans, who hold no ill-will towards the Jewish State. It should be viewed as a purely symbolic and narrow-minded political ploy designed to appease Hamas apologists locally and internationally. Its only achievement is to diminish South Africa’s international standing and ability to play any meaningful role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Business relations and travel between South Africa and Israel will remain intact and this motion will have absolutely no effect on Israel. But, it does send a worrying message to South African Jews, Christians and Muslims who are increasingly concerned that the fundamentalist ideology being spread by Hamas and the support they are receiving from the ANC government offers an increasing threat to all citizens on the African continent.
South Africans deserve better from our leaders. The ANC government has created a foreign policy that aims to befriend dictatorships and bash democracies, further alienating itself from any foreign countries that would be willing to work as partners towards South Africa’s sustainable development and growth. Yet again, the ANC government makes a decision with no regard for the impact it will have on the rights and freedoms of its own citizens.
Its myopic foreign policy decisions have increasingly put billions in trade and investment at risk, as noted by recent statements of senior Senators in the United States who are questioning whether South Africa should remain beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Israel remains the only democracy in the Middle East where the rights of all religions, minorities, ethnicities and beliefs are protected. It is the only country in the Middle East where the population of Christians is protected and growing. It is home to some of the world’s holiest sites that hold religious and spiritual reverence for Christians, Muslims and Jews.
The SAZF calls on the ANC government to end its unbridled hostility towards the State of Israel, which remains a partner for the sustainable development of all African countries.
Issued by Rolene Marks, Spokesperson, SAZF, 10 November 2023
