Support for the Palestinian cause has remained a steadfast element of South African foreign policy since the ANC came into power in 1994.
Hamas’ brazen and deadly attack on Israel on October 7 elicited varied responses within the South African political scene. These diverse reactions reflect the long history, since before democracy in 1994, of South African engagement with the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The conflict holds symbolic significance for many in the country.
It can no longer be disputed that South Africa’s apartheid history is occupied Palestine’s reality… the decision by Palestinians to respond to the brutality of the settler Israeli apartheid regime is unsurprising. The ANC has thrown its support behind the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, a movement aiming to replicate the iconic anti-apartheid boycott campaign. South African officials have consistently accused Israel of practising apartheid. The country’s parliament recently voted to formally downgrade the country’s relations with Israel from embassy to a liaison office.
Since the late 1960s, the ANC has cultivated strong ties with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation . By the 1980s, these ties had evolved into a strategic and operational alliance between the two movements. In recent years, with the weakening of the PLO, the ANC has shifted its support towards the PLO’s erstwhile rival, Hamas. The Muslim constituency in South Africa, many of whom are ANC supporters and activists, further contributes to the party’s pro-Palestinian stance.
In addition, in recent decades, various Christian and traditionalist forces have also strongly tended towards pro-Israeli views.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Afternoon Update: Australia urges restraint in Israel-Palestine; Services Australia staff strike; and China’s shift away from the westThe Australian government has urged for civilian lives to be protected during Israel-Palestine conflict
Read more »
Israel Palestine: How a night of dancing and revelry turned into a massacreThe Tribe of Nova trance music festival, near Kibbutz Reim, was one of the first targets for Hamas militants as they launched their unprecedented attack on Israel.
Read more »
'Palestine is not Ukraine': Threat to US over Israel backingLebanese militant group Hezbollah says there will be "no red line" if the US directly intervenes in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Read more »
Latest violence might prove a turning pointReaders reflect on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Voice referendum.
Read more »
The political ripples of the Israel-Palestine crisis are already hitting both US partiesBiden may be the last unalloyed pro-Israel Democratic president. But right now he sets the tone of US policy
Read more »
Israel Hamas war LIVE UPDATES: Hamas vows to kill hostages; pro-Palestine activists may face chargesThe militant group warns it will execute one civilian on live television for every bomb Israel drops without warning; NSW Police say they will charge any protester who committed an offence at a rally in Sydney. Follow updates here.
Read more »