DA MPs in Israel: ‘We do not owe the ANC an explanation’

DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp says the party’s members of parliament (MPs) who recently went on a fact-finding mission in Israel did not represent the South African government.

This comes after the ANC, EFF and Al Jama-ah condemned the parliamentarians and accused them of betraying the state.

MPs from the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and African Democratic Christian Party (ACDP) were also part of the fact-finding mission.

However, Aucamp says the MPs went on the fact-finding mission as private individuals.

He also said the party did not organise the visit and did not pay for their MPs to be in Israel.

“They went there in their personal capacity. We live in a country which allows freedom of movement, they can go wherever they want to go,” he said.

Were diplomatic passports used?

The EFF accused these MPs of using diplomatic passports during the trip. However, this was denied by one of the MPs on the trip.

The MP told The Citizen that those in the group used their normal passport.

When asked, Aucamp said he did not believe diplomatic passports were used during the trip.

He said the MPs who had gone on the fact-finding mission had not reported to the party about what they had witnessed.

“They went there in their personal capacity, we do not have to ask them anything,” he said.

He also stated that the party would not explain the actions of its members to the ANC.

“We do not owe the ANC an explanation for this; if they are unhappy, they are unhappy,” he said.

Should the GNU have a united foreign policy?

He said there is nothing the DA can do about South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but all government of national unity (GNU) coalition partners should reach consensus on the country’s foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Theo Neethling, a political analyst from Free State University (UFS) told The Citizen on Thursday that disagreements on foreign policy will create more problems for the government.

“The problem for me is that the ANC does not want to involve other parties in foreign affairs. That is problematic. It creates a space for differences not only with regards to Israel, but also with regards to the US [United States].

“If they are not going to involve other parties in foreign affairs, then they will have more tensions in the GNU,” he said.

Another political analyst, Kenneth Mokgatlhe, told The Citizen that he believes that the ANC’s position on Israel is partly responsible for the current tensions with the US.

“Countries like Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia do criticise Israel, where they believe it is wrong, but they do so without harming their relations with the US and European countries.

“If South Africa is valuing its relationship with USA, they will find ways to manage such a relationship and protect their interests.

“That is what diplomacy is about: knowing what you want and how you will get it. It is about using your foreign influence to benefit your people in your country. It is not about egos. It is not about who is tough,” he said.

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‘No political stunt’

The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) said it was pleased with the interest that the delegation of MPs had in Israel.

“This visit was no political stunt. It represented a sincere effort to comprehend a complex reality through direct engagement, free from the distortions of propaganda or recycled rhetoric.

“We urge more members of parliament, as well as civil society leaders, to follow this example: to visit Israel, meet its diverse communities, and form judgements based on facts, not fiction,” it said.

Gaza bombings

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation this week condemned the bombing of at least 35 hospitals in Gaza since the start of the current conflict in October 2023.

“We are also concerned that Israel has halted the entry of all aid into Gaza since 2 March. This is in defiance of the binding provisional orders of the International Court of Justice, which ordered Israel to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“The international community must hold Israel accountable through effective counter-measures, as the impunity enjoyed by Israel has emboldened its genocidal actions in Palestine,” the department said.

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