Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 23-01-2017
Analysts say criticism labelled at the African National Congress (ANC) for speaking with a forked tongue against a Democratic Alliance (DA) delegation that visited Israel may have merit because the ruling party may also be hypocritical when it comes to its stance on Palestine.
The DA including leader Mmusi Maimane who posed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been lambasted by many people including, pro-Palestinian lobby groups and the ANC.
The ANC accused the DA of “endorsing the Israeli government instead of condemning its violations of international law and of never standing in solidarity with the Palestinians, and failing to challenge the Israeli government on what it says are human rights violations.
Political analyst Steven Friedman says while the ANC’s solidarity with Palestine has become a ritual during government speeches, it doesn’t do much to assist in creating awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people.
“For example A couple of years ago I happened to be able to be a fly on the wall at a meeting which was addressed by the Israeli ambassador during which he was boasting of all the people in the South African government who support the Israeli state.”
Director of Programmes at the Auwal Socio Economic Research Institute (ASRI) Ebrahim Fakir says while the ANC consistently endorses what it calls a two state solution it fails to address a more social justice and justice perspective about the Palestinian struggle.
“And here’s another question for the ANC or for the people who believe the ANC are completely progressive, unmitigated threat, how come so many of their NEC members have either personal relationships or business dealings, sometimes with the most odious entities who not only support Israel but who are themselves Israeli businessman and show up the Israeli state.”
The ANC’s Zizi Kodwa says accusations that party is hypocritical when it comes to issues about Palestine and the Palestinian people is expected to be tabled and discussed at the policy conference this year.
Listen to Professor Steven Friedman, Ebrahim Fakir and Zizi Kodwa debate the issue here:
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