South Africans have long hoped to develop conflict resolution as the country’s major political export. With an evangelical like fervour, President Mbeki and his ministers have attempted to save many fellow African nations (however selectively when you consider Zimbabwe) from the fires of war and civil strife. And to be fair they have actually achieved some good results in places like Burundi.
But being the chief solver of Africa’s numerous problems is not enough. Our government wants in to the premier league of conflict resolution and it believed that the intractable Israeli-Arab conflict is its ticket.
It began a couple of years ago with the Spier initiative. Leftwing Israeli politicians and intellectuals together with their Palestinian counterparts were flown to this picturesque wine estate in Stellenbosch to hear from those involved in South Africa’s political transformation how negotiation rather than violence was the way forward. But the Israeli government was completely excluded from this event.
The brains at the South Africans Foreign Affairs Ministry however soon cottoned on that if it was to have any real influence on a Middle East peace agreement it could not engage only with those on the fringes of Israeli society, while ignoring the countries democratically elected leadership. And so in a dramatic shift in policy, the South African government invited representative of Ariel Sharon’s then ruling Likud party on an official visit.
This was followed by an Israeli government delegation led by Ehud Olmert (one of the most high level in years) and the signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. The warm personal relationship that Olmert and Mbeki were purported to have formed led many in the South African Jewish community to believe that even handedness (as opposed to unwavering support for the Palestinians) had become South Africa’s new Middle East policy.
This delusion was comprehensively shattered recently when the South African parliament finally passed its extremely biased resolution condemning Israel and only Israel for the violence in Gaza and Lebanon. The resolution condemned Israel’s “collective punishment of both the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples” and only Israel’s actions were said to be “against international law and the Geneva Convention.”
Steve previously blogged about the unashamed Israel bashing that took place when this resolution was first proposed almost 2 months ago. If you recall, the resolution was withdrawn in order to find greater consensus. Many in the Jewish community saw this as a victory. But as a rather disagreeable Rosh Hashanah gift, this anti-Israel resolution was again tabled (unamended) in parliament and passed with a large majority.
With the passing of this resolution, South Africa has effectively killed any chance it may have had of being a peace broker in the regions. No Israeli government would rightly allow such a hostile state to influence the negotiation of its final borders. And Egypt, Jordan and even Qatar who now share similar positions to South Africa vis-à-vis Israel have far more influence on the Palestinians. So while trade and cultural ties between South Africa and Israel are sure to continue, the peace process will be out of bounds.
This is a tremendous shame. For South Africa, with its significant accomplishments in nation building, could have played a meaningful role in the development of a democratic and sustainable Palestinian state. Its vast experience in reconciliation could also have served to help counteract decades of anti-Jewish hatred that has infected the Arab world. Ironically, this resolution rather than helping will actually serve to harm peace and economic development in the Middle East.
You can download the full resolution which includes the rejected amendment that was proposed by the Democratic Alliance.
I think you have neglected to mention the shame that this casts over the SAJBD.
I recently attended the SAZF conference where the SAJBD were recently criticised for failing to see a distinction between state and party lines. Of course we need good relations with the state but taking snide shots at the DA in order to please the ANC is a strategy that is not fair.
It was the DA that attempted to bring even handedness to this resolution and an analysis of the names voting against the amendment shows that it was the ANC that rejected the amendment.
There should be some accountability with the Board as a whole - not just scape-goating of individuals. They are a unit and should behave like one.
I would love to hear the board comment on this from the angle of their pro-ANC lines. At the recent solidarity with Israel march the Board made a big thank you to the SA government. Thank you for what? Acceptance of Israel should not be thanked - it should be expected.
We need to support our government. Can this be done without favoritism to the ANC when they are such a clear majority?
Posted by: Anon | October 11, 2006 at 12:52