Defending the government’s recent signing of trade deals with Israel, Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said on Friday they are designed to benefit the entire Middle East region.
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with South African President Thabo Mbeki briefly on Friday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, despite much pressure from pro-Palestinian groups and certain domestic trade unions.
In a statement, groups opposed to Olmert’s visit said they feel the government’s actions and ”double speak” amount to the betrayal of the oppressed people of Palestine.
”They [the South African government] are turning their backs on principles they had earlier held dear. They failed to extend the same solidarity that was extended to oppressed South Africans at the time of our struggle,” said a joint statement from the Muslim Judicial Council, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Western Cape Provincial Council of Churches and the Friends of Al-Aqsa.
But Pahad said interaction with the Israelis is an attempt by South Africa to end the bloodshed.
”It’s not a question of warming up,” said Pahad referring to the relationship between Israel and South Africa.
He said the talks formed part of ongoing efforts by South Africa to help find — by drawing on its own experiences — solutions to the Middle East conflict.
”In war, the economy suffers,” said Pahad, explaining that the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has not only devastated their respective economies, but has badly affected the economies of the whole region.
He argued that there will be no regional economic turnaround if a solution to the trouble is not found.
Pahad said the meeting was the result of a long-standing invitation by the South African Department of Trade and Industry for representatives from both countries to meet.
Omert, who is also the Israeli Minister for Trade and Industry, signed business agreements — including a promotion and protection of investments agreement — in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Pahad said the visit was an important attempt to get Israel and Palestine to live peacefully side by side.
In the past, South Africa had been very vocal in its criticism of the Israeli armed forces, prompting Israel to threaten the removal of its trade and industry office in the country.
But Pahad said South Africa did not pick on Israel but criticised both parties when it felt they were perpetrating actions not beneficial to peace.
”Our criticism must not be construed at anti-Israel,” he said.
He said the South African government has also voiced its objections to suicide bombings carried out by Palestinian militants. — Sapa
Tony Leon welcomes Israeli visit