GNU stance on Gaza 'worrisome

In the interest of economic prosperity SA is urged to keep open relations with Israel.

The pro-Palestinian lobby group in South Africa has expressed worry about the position of the incoming government of national unity (GNU) regarding the ongoing Middle East conflict and its stand on South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Prompted by the establishment of the GNU that includes the pro-Israel Democratic Alliance (DA), which openly supported Israel in its bombing in Gaza following the 7 October Hamas attacks, the SA Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement called on the GNU to come clean about its support for the South African legal team handing the ICJ case in the Hague.

BDS said the new government must take measures to ensure the GNU was not complicit in alleged genocide in Gaza in line with international obligations.

"Failure to do so will damage our country's international reputation and serve to mobilise South Africans against the GNU.

"The vast majority of our people support the just struggle of the Palestinian people and oppose genocide. For us it is a red line. Such a failure will undermine [Nelson] Mandela's strong belief that 'our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians'.

"It is a litmus test," BDS said.