SUZANNE BELLING
They went “in order to listen and learn about the conflict first-hand and to discuss how South Africa should be playing a more constructive role in bringing the parties together for peace”.
Included in the delegation was Michael Bagraim, DA shadow deputy minister of labour and a former chairman and president of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies.
A statement from the DA said Maimane was there “as a person of deep faith” to visit some of the most important holy places that held spiritual meaning for him.
Maimane met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of the opposition Bougie Herzog.
The statement said that a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, had also been planned, but was cancelled because of a scheduling conflict in Abbas’ diary.
Maimane also met with senior representatives of the Palestinian and Israeli business communities “to discuss how business and trade can be used to advance peace when politics is failing to make progress.
“This is in keeping with the DA’s commitment to a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine exist side by side, which is the position of the South African government, as well as the United Nations.
“Under the DA’s leadership, South Africa will play a constructive role in bringing the two parties together, instead of inflaming tensions between them. The DA will always place human rights at the centre of its international relations, a moral policy long disregarded by the ANC.”
The ANC condemned the visit “at a time when the world is increasingly standing up against Israel’s illegal settlements, including the United Nations Security Council. It is a pity that the DA is endorsing the Israeli regime, instead of condemning its violations of international law.
“The allegations that the DA is funded and controlled by apartheid sympathisers seem (sic) to be true… We, unlike the DA, call out Israel for its racism against African refugees, we condemn Israel’s apartheid policies and its violations of international law…
“The DA continues its blind support of the Israeli government and its abhorrent policies,” the ANC media release said.
Israeli Ambassador Arthur Lenk hit out at the “hateful and rambling statement” of the ANC, which he said attacked both Israel and “a prominent South African politician”.
Expressing “great disappointment” he said: “In recent years the ANC’s aggressive and anti-Israel statements and bias have separated it from the position of a vast majority of African states and the views of millions of South Africans.”
He criticised the ANC for using anti-Semitic language “that is beyond the pale in the in the 21st century”.
Lenk said that in the past the ANC had used “horrific Holocaust imagery to attack Israel. This time it talks of political parties being ‘funded and controlled’ by supporters of Israel, using the oldest and ugliest tropes about Jews in politics.”
He added: “The absurd abuse of the historic word ‘apartheid’ in connection with Israel is patently untrue and ugly. Israel’s vibrant democracy, economy and society empowers people of all races, faiths and backgrounds. It is the only place in the Middle East where women, Christians and gays have full rights. Arabs play a role in every aspect of life in Israel.”
Using the word “apartheid” was an insult to South Africans of all backgrounds who actually fought against it.
“Israel remains the only democracy in the Middle East.” It had shown repeatedly that it was ready to make peace (as with Jordan and Egypt). Israel remained ready to negotiate.
“If the ANC was a true friend to Palestinians, it would encourage the PA to learn from South Africa’s history and negotiate with Israel to make peace. Instead, it seems to merely support ‘solidarity’ by aggressively singling out Israel and hurting chances for peace.”
The ANC had “fallen” a long way since the days of (Nelson) Mandela. In spite of his differences with Israel, he visited there in 1999 and met with Israelis across the political spectrum.
Mandela had said: “I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognise Israel within secure borders.”
Lenk said: “Today’s ANC seems not ready to talk, listen, travel or interact. And it attacks people who do.”
Meanwhile, the SA Zionist Federation commended Maimane on the visit and “seeing the reality of Israel for himself”, said Ben Swartz, national chairman.
“The Jewish community embraces this refreshing approach to dealing with the international community from a prominent South African leader.”
Swartz said he looked forward to others following Maimane’s example. “Mr Maimane embodies true South African values of dialogue and engagement.”
