The hosting of a senior Hamas delegation in Cape Town by the ANC in the Western Cape is an insult to Israel and to the Jewish people of South Africa, says Rev Kenneth Meshoe in a press statement released on Saturday (December 2).
The Hamas group which met ANC representatives late last week includes politburo member Bassem Naim, Hamas representative in Iran Khaled Qaddoumi and Hamas representative in East, Central and Southern Africa Emad Saber. They came to SA to participate in the fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine which began in Gauteng at the weekend.
Meshoe says in the statement that the ACDP is “appalled to hear of the invited visit and meeting between the ANC and Hamas”, which “is guilty of committing acts of heinous brutality against women, children, infants and families that can never be excused or ignored”.
He says: “The ACDP joins in the expression of contrition to the Jewish community, for the actions of the governing party who invited leaders of this world-described terrorist army to our country amidst the current conflict and the backdrop of October 7th.
“We do not understand how people can align with the perpetrators of those evil actions, the horrific images of which were recorded by the evil ones and broadcast to the world on that day. Women were humiliated and violated, babies were beheaded, children and men were given no pity. Our God says this is abhorrent. The hearts of Jewish people and those who love them, all over the world, are broken while the nation recovers from the worst pain imaginable. The Bible expresses this: ‘A voice is heard in Israel, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and she refused to be comforted because they were no more.’
“This invitation and visit is an insult to Israel and to our Jewish community here in South Africa. No person of sound moral judgement can align with this action by the ANC, showing flagrant disregard for a people who are a blessing to our country and whose very history shows their outstanding activism in support of South African black people in ending apartheid – they form part of our national identity and indeed that of the ANC.
“This day of infamy left not only Jewish people reeling from its cruelty but it shocked us all, showing an amorality from which we must totally disassociate ourselves and express empathy to all people affected. For SA to ignore these crimes against women is unthinkable given our own reality of GBV- gender based violence – and especially during this “16 Days of Action” against abuse of women and children.
“We must guard against the narrative that holds Israelis responsible for the evil actions committed against them; woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness… our Jewish people are a part of South Africa as much as any other people group of our diverse nation.
“Despite the actions of our government, we pray for God’s mercy on our nation.”
SA Friends of Israel (SAFI), says in a media statement released on Friday December 8 that the ANC does not represent the views of South Africa and that its meeting with Hamas was “deplorable”.
The fill SAFI statement reads: “As the South African Friends of Israel, a group dedicated to fostering understanding and support for Israel within South Africa, we feel compelled to address the ANC’s hosting and honouring the international terrorist organisation Hamas this week.
“We want to emphasise that the deplorable actions of the ANC do not reflect the sentiments of the vast majority of South Africans. Most people in our beautiful rainbow nation cherish the constitutional values of peace, justice, and mutual respect between nations, religions and cultures.
“The ruling party’s hosting of Hamas, which carried out some of the worst atrocities known to humankind on 7 October 2023, including acts of unspeakable savagary, rape and sexual violence against Israeli women, have cast a shadow over our nation’s international image and moral standing.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact of the ANC’s antics on the perception of South Africa in the international community. We believe in constructive dialogue and peaceful coexistence between nations, and we advocate for a South Africa that stands as a part of the community of nations committed to these ideals.
“Our organisation represents a broad community of the South African population that wishes to see our nation align with global standards of ethics and diplomacy. We stand for a South Africa that contributes positively to the global tapestry of nations, promoting peace, understanding, and ethical conduct.
“The recent actions by the ANC are not in alignment with the values of millions of South Africans who believe in building bridges rather than fostering division. They do not align with those who fight against violence against women, or those who support a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We advocate for a South African foreign policy that reflects the ethical and moral standards we hold dear, a policy that supports peace, human dignity, and the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and understanding.
“We call upon our leaders and fellow citizens to reflect on these events and to join us in promoting a narrative of South Africa that aligns with our aspirations as a nation committed to ethical leadership and peaceful coexistence on the international stage.”
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