Hands off Obed Bapela: ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Western Cape warns SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and SA Zionist Federation (ZASF)

17 July 2015

The ANC Youth League Western Cape is extremely angered by the utter disrespect and insult from the SAJBD and the SAZF shown towards the ANC’s Head of International Relations and National Deputy Minister Obed Bapela. If the lobby groups for Apartheid Israel think that they can be wedge-drivers and isolate ANC leaders or that our leaders will be divided, they are greatly mistaken.

The ANC has clear policies and positions which Obed Bapela clearly articulated, i.e. if any member of the ANC undermines or misrepresents the position of the ANC they will be held to account. The recent sanction-busting trip that some SASCO members undertook could rightfully result in their expulsion.

The Progressive Youth Alliance as a whole has made itself crystal clear on this matter as was reflected in a joint statement issued on 11 June 2015 which was signed by the ANCYL Provincials Chairs of Gauteng and the Western Cape, among other Progressive Youth Alliance leaders.

Those SASCO members were warned in advance, but chose defiance by going on this trip. If a member of the South African Zionist Federation, for example, openly stated views that the do not support the Apartheid state of Israel, they would be held to account.  In the same vein, the ANC has a progressive and clear stance on Israel, and therefore if young members of the ANC violate this policy they should equally be held to account.

The ANC has an organisational position on this matter, and these external forces must discontinue their interference. The SAZF and the SAJB must keep their dishonest hands off Obed Bapela, he is our leader and as such we do not take kindly to this insult.

In line with the joint statement issued on 11 June 2015, we welcome SASCO’s decision to suspend the SASCO members who went on the recent sanction-busting propaganda tour of Israel. 

We are very confident however that our members of the ANCYL branches in the Western Cape comprehend the reasons behind our solidarity with the Palestinian cause and our opposition to apartheid Israel. Members of the ANCYL will indeed be guided by their revolutionary morality and will not accept invitations to such sanction-busting pro-apartheid trips.  

Statement issued by the African National Congress Youth League Western Cape, July 17 2015