DAVID SAKS
In a meeting with the leadership of the SAJBD on September 18, and again in his address to the 69th UN General Assembly in New York the following week, Zuma reiterated his government’s support for a negotiated, two-state solution to the conflict, based on the 1967 borders, with Palestine and Israel co-existing side by side in peace.
He further condemned violence by both sides, saying that there could be no military solution to the issue. While calling on the international community to help bring about “peace, justice and self-determination” for the Palestinians, he noted at the same time that this needed to include addressing whatever security concerns Israel might have.
In his meeting with the SAJBD, the President stressed South Africa’s continued willingness to play a role in helping Israel and Palestine to resolve the issues between them.
Other matters discussed included the sharp rise in anti-Semitic activity in South Africa, including threats and intimidation against the Jewish community and its leadership.
Zuma assured the Board that his government remained committed to combating such prejudice, and further emphasised the need for there to be harmony between people of different backgrounds and opinions in South Africa.
The government’s continued adherence to a policy of engagement with both Israelis and Palestinians, was contradicted by a statement issued by ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe on September 22, which announced that the party was “joining the call for [a] cultural, academic and education boycott of Israel”.
This boycott would include travel bans for members and leaders of the ANC, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and government officials.
The SAJBD strongly criticised the ANC’s stance, saying that a one-sided boycott would not only do nothing to help bring about peace to the region, but would cause needless polarisation and division within South African society. It would also undermine the government’s attempts to play a role in the peace process, which they are doing through their Middle East envoys.
