South Africa Demonstrates its Biased Middle Eastern Foreign Policy — Again

Abba Eban, arguably Israel’s most adroit Foreign Minister, observed that ‘the Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity [for peace].’ The same could be said of South Africa’s Middle East policy. Despite their affirmations about wanting to be an honest peace mediator between Israelis and Palestinians, the South African government time and again behaves like a Palestinian advocacy group.

This week a whole host of South African government officials, including president Mbkei himself, gave their unconditional support to the new PA unity government. The president dedicated his entire weekly letter in ANC today to this very topic: The Mecca Agreement - pax fiat!

‘The conclusion of the Mecca Agreement must surely serve as a firm signal that the rest of the world must now end all measures intended to isolate the Palestinian Authority, and thus show respect for the wishes of the Palestinian people and their decisions to determine their own internal affairs. The challenge also faces the Government of Israel to respond positively to the Mecca Agreement, among other things by releasing all funds due to the Palestinian Authority and adopting a positive posture with regard to the tasks to reduce the misery afflicting the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and create a climate conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The balance of power in this regard decisively favours Israel. To end the destructive conflict that has gone on for far too long, will require the wisdom and courage of the more powerful. The positive results that both the Israeli and Palestinian people pray for will not come of their own accord. They will come about as a result of conscious and deliberate actions which must be taken in the first instance by the more powerful.’

How can one claim to be an honest broker and then place all the responsibility for making peace on the Israelis? Not only is this grossly unfair to Israel, but it also robs the Palestinians of the chance to shed the shackles of dependency and take their future into their own hands. Such biased statements only reinforce the mentality of occupation (both for Israel and the Palestinian).

More telling however than what the President said is what he in fact did not say. In contrast to the international consensus, he did not call on the new PA to recognise Israel’s right to exist, renounce violence and adhere to all previously signed agreements. These criteria for lifting the embargo were in fact reaffirmed by the quartet this week. (In fact, the other quartet - Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states - are also urging the Palestinian government to abide by the 3 conditions.)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, went even further than the President in his media briefing this week. He took a swipe at Israel and the quartet for demanding the PA accept the 3 peace principles. He decried that

‘once again it seems that powerful forces are incapable of grasping an opportunity for peace and stability and remain committed to negotiating positions that make solutions impossible.’

Once again South Africa has placed itself in opposition to international democratic consensus. It becomes clearer week by week that our country now considers itself part of the broad Islamist-Leftist totalitarian alliance.

Comments

[Gary]

Mike and Steve- Remember I said well over a year ago that SA is part of the Islamic-Marxist Axis, which includes North Korea, China, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Cuba and Venezuela!
You said that I was wrong and that SA could not be clased in that group of nations.
Now you have accpeted the premise I held all along-surely an apology is in order?
I also might add that there are several Arasb countries, like Egypt , Jordan. Morocco and Saudi Arabia, that have called on the PA to recognize Israel. SA has refused to do this.
SA is more radically anti-Israel than these moderate Arab states, and is aligned with the most radical Arab states-Iran, Syria and Libya.
SA has absolutely no credibility whatsoever left to play a role in any Middle East peace process. Better to have Rusia, the EU, Egypt , Jordan. Morocco and Saudi Arabia involved. Anyone but South Africa.

[Mike]

Garry, over the last few months South Africa’s foreign policy has become stridently more anti-Western. While your observation may have been on the alarmist side a year ago, today unfortunately it is probably representative of the situation.

In the next few weeks it is likely that there will be a vote on further sanctions against Iran at the UNSC. South Africa’s vote will be telling. They certainly won’t vote for. But will they abstain or vote against? That will make it clear to all where they actually stand.