Catch Up Post - SA Govt Slams Israel

Here's a quick catch up post linking you to the SA government's condemnation of Israel last week, and the response issued by the SA Zionist Federation.

SA Response to latest Israeli settlement activities in East Jerusalem

The South African government expresses its concern at the latest round of Israeli settlement activities in East Jerusalem and registers its condemnation of Israel's approval of 900 new settlement units in the settlement of Gilo, south of East Jerusalem. South Africa is aware of the statements of the Palestinian leadership that this settlement expansion on the part of Israel will result in an increase in the Israeli settler population over the next two years that will exceed the previous two. South Africa takes note of the statements by United States President Barack Obama who stated that: "I think that additional settlement building does not contribute to Israel's security, it makes it harder for them to make peace with their neighbours. I think it embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous." We also take cognisance of the statements of the European Union presidency which said that: "If there is to be genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states." South Africa maintains that these attempts by Israel to create facts on the ground imperil attempts to achieve a negotiated solution to the conflict, namely that of two states, Israel and Palestine existing side by side in peace within internationally recognised borders. South Africa emphasises that the issue of Jerusalem is one of the final status issues that needs to be part of a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle East. The actions on the part of Israel are in opposition to the will of the international community as expressed in United Nations Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1515 as well as the Arab Peace Initiative. We condemn the fact that Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem is coupled with Israel's campaign to evict and displace the original Palestinian residents from the City. South Africa stresses that these actions on the part of Israel jeopardise the prospects of resuming peace talks aimed at arriving at a final settlement to the conflict. South Africa is deeply concerned that these activities by Israel will only serve only to deepen the cycle of violence in the region. As an occupying power, Israel has specific and clear obligations under international law. We call upon the Israeli government to cease their activities that are reminiscent of apartheid forced removals and resume negotiations immediately.

Here's the response issued by the SA Zionist Federation:

The SA Zionist Federation rejects with utter contempt the statement by the South African government which condemns Israel’s “settlement activities” in East Jerusalem and “Israel’s campaign to evict and displace the original Palestinian residents from the City”, and which calls on the Israeli government to “cease their activities that are reminiscent of apartheid forced removals and resume negotiations immediately.” The Israeli government is legally entitled to allow for the natural expansion of the Jerusalem suburb of Gilo in east Jerusalem.  People, whether Jew or Arab, are being removed from their homes only because those homes are illegal. Any increase in the cycle of violence in the region will come from the radical Palestinian element determined at all costs to ensure that peace remains forever elusive.  The SA Zionist Federation notes that the South African government has never publicly condemned the Hamas, which has for 8 years unceasingly pounded the south of Israel with rockets and mortars, thus risking the lives of more than 1 000 000 innocent Israelis.  Nor has it ever condemned Iran, a member of the UN, for its threats against Israel and its determination both to destroy the country and instigate a genocide against its citizens. The radical Palestinian leadership has time and again proven itself unwilling to enter into any kind of negotiations with the Israeli government.  Without a partner for peace, Israel cannot move forward in that direction. The SA Zionist Federation is appalled that the SA government compares the situation in Israel with that of “apartheid forced removals.”  The apartheid regime was radically immoral: for the SA government to compare the two shows a regrettable lack of understanding of both and simultaneously makes a mockery of the tragedy of apartheid. The SA Zionist Federation is greatly concerned as to why the SA government released this harsh and one-sided statement, which will do little more than create and heighten tensions within the local Jewish community and with South Africa’s radical pro-Palestinian elements. The South African Zionist Federation condemns the double standards applied only to Israel by our government; and questions again why Israel is always judged to a standard different from that of the rest of the world.  I'm sure that when Allister Sparks comments on this he will light a new fire of lies and again claim that the Jewish Community has called the government antisemtic.

Comments

[Steve from Raleigh]

Gilo is WEST of East Jerusalem in fact it is ON the Green Line.

[Religious Fundamentalist 1]

Well, South "West", but whose quibbling when it comes to the JOOS.

Has no-one heard of Google Maps?

[Religious Fundamentalist 1]

Actually, if you want to talk about

"activities that are reminiscent of apartheid forced removals "

You might want to consider:
1) Gush Katif
2) The intended forced removals of Jews from "settlements" to make "Palestine" Judenrein
3) The halt on building in Judea & Samaria, which will force population movements CvS

There are none so blind ...

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