The dark days continue for Palestine as Israeli tanks and drones push into Rafah’s western neighbourhoods as an attack on aid-seekers killed at least nine Palestinians and injured 30, in Gaza. The South African case against genocide in Gaza by the Israelis at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) could come under threat depending the path that the new coalition government takes.
When South Africa, under its ruling African National Congress (ANC) Party, took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January on allegations of genocide in Gaza, it drew applause from a range of nations, especially in the Global South. Back at home, though, the support was more muted among the country’s other political parties. The ANC’s main rival at the time, the right-leaning Democratic Alliance (DA), opposed the step – although it subsequently asked Israel to adhere to the ICJ’s interim rulings. The right-wing populist Patriotic Alliance (PA) called South Africa’s move a “joke”. Now, five months later, the ANC has stitched together a coalition government to rule the country with the DA and to a lesser extent the PA and the nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), raising concerns about how South Africa’s approach to Israel and Palestine might change. (Al Jazeera)
South Africa’s case against Israel’s genocide in Gaza could indeed be in jeopardy. The ANC has been compelled to enter into a coalition with lesser parties, having lost their majority and therefore dominance. South Africa by taking the case against the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu for genocide shone as a beacon of hope and justice where the western world failed to do so. Now the case may more or less be stuck in a quagmire depending on how the ICJ ruling is perceived by the partners in the coalition. The DA and the IFP need not interfere with the case. The ICJ is pursuing charges against Hamas leaders for the October attack as well as members of Netanyahu’s government. It is time for the DA to realize that Netanyahu is out of touch would reality and needs to be removed from power.
The Patriotic Alliance is another irrational party that would only nine seats in parliament was not needed to join the coalition.
The DA and IFP have sought to remain neutral on the war while the PA in particular have expressed support for Israel. In the final coalition agreement, a clause on foreign policy was inserted in which the ANC and its partners agreed on the principles that foreign policy would be based on. “Foreign policy was based on human rights, constitutionalism, the national interest, solidarity, peaceful resolution of conflicts, to achieve the African Agenda 2063, South-South, North-South and African cooperation, multilateralism and a just, peaceful and equitable world,” the agreement read. While the ANC has conceded that the DA is unlikely to change its position on Israel and Palestine, it insisted it would not give up its longstanding solidarity with Palestinians.(Al Jazeera)
The foreign policy portfolio will likely remain in the hands of the ANC. The DA and the IFP are traditionally centre-right parties with rational policies. They will be able to make compromises with the ANC, in terms of free market principles. There is at least a consensus on what all parties agree upon when it comes to setting out the rules for foreign policy. The PA for their part remains the only clog in the government of National Unity that clings to irrational policies. The party makes no sense in its support for Israel. The nation policy on foreign relations is state business. This means it cannot be subjected to the whims of a single party.
Ending the genocide in Gaza and calling for a ceasefire should be a top priority of the new coalition government in foreign policy.
- Israeli tanks and drones push into Rafah’s western neighbourhoods as attack on aid-seekers killed at least nine Palestinians and injured 30.
- Israeli military spokesman says “Hamas is an ideology” and “we cannot eliminate an ideology” in contrast to Netanyahu’s repeated comments that Israel will not end its war on Gaza until Hamas is defeated.
- UNRWA estimates just 65,000 people remain in Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians had been seeking shelter before fleeing the Israeli’s military advance on the southern city.
- A UN commission reports that Israeli authorities are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
- At least 37,396 people killed and 85,523 injured in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks stands at 1,139 with dozens of people still held captive in Gaza.(Al Jazeera)
- There is an old saying that if you cut off one head two more will grow in its place. Netanyahu is digging his own grave by pursuing this war against Hamas.
- Try to wipe out one militant group more will spring up in its place. By targeting aid workers, the Israeli regime is earning the anger of the rest of the world. Protests will only escalate on university campuses of countries allied to Israel.
- Netanyahu who has very little experience running a military is becoming increasingly isolated from his advisors over how he has managed the war.
- The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is becoming a “bully force” under Netanyahu’s thumb. It is time for the United Nations, the European Union and the other international bodies that have trade and diplomatic ties to Israel to impose the necessary sanctions.
- Genocide is not a simple thing to wipe away. Both Israel and even Hamas need to answer for their crimes. But it depends on how the international community will respond.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
