The South African government has condemned Israel’s disproportionate response, but has said it will not suspend diplomatic ties with that country.
This week the Mail & Guardian sought perspectives on the Middle East from Iqbal Jassat, chairperson of the Media Review Network, and David Saks, acting national chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.
Iqbal Jassat
What is your perspective on the current hostilities?
The current situation reflects Israel’s defeat at Hizbullah’s hands after 22 years of occupation. We are seeing Israel’s inability to reconcile with the fact that its actions are responsible for the displacement of the indigenous people of Palestine and Lebanon, who have been consigned to abject poverty in refugee camps.
What can be done to end the hostilities?
Hizbullah has said that it will release the captured soldiers if Israel releases a number of prisoners. About three years ago, a number of Israelis were captured and exchanged for prisoners, but Israel has ignored that possibility and the United States has given it carte blanche to pursue a policy of military aggression.
Are there any positive signs in the situation?
Despite the pounding that Lebanon is taking, its people, the government and Hizbullah remain resolute against one of the world’s most powerful armies. If any of these core ingredients surrender we can expect a nightmare.
Where is the situation going?
For Israel, it will come as a shock that it cannot militarily succeed in forcing people to succumb to its policies. No matter what it does, the opinion on Arab streets will remain opposed to Israel. Israel will have to acknowledge that a great injustice has been perpetrated and a different course needs to be taken.
What is your perspective on South Africa’s involvement?
South Africa has the moral and social responsibility to respond to the cries of the Palestinians and the Lebanese by immediately suspending diplomatic ties with Israel.
David Saks
What is your perspective on the current hostilities?
There is every chance of achieving a lasting peace if all peoples in the region genuinely want it. The reality, unfortunately, is that radical Islamist groupings are not interested in achieving a peaceful co-existence with Israel, but are seeking the eradication of Israel.
What can be done to end the hostilities?
The international community must not be hoodwinked into playing the radicals’ game by condemning Israeli retaliation instead of the violent and unprovoked acts of aggression that preceded it. Rather, Hamas in the Palestinian territories and Hizbullah in Lebanon must be told in no uncertain terms that their aims and methods are illegal and that they will face isolation if they persist with them.
Are there any positive signs in the situation?
The fact that even some Arab states actually criticised Hizbullah’s aggression instead of delivering the usual routine condemnation of Israel may be evidence that a more pragmatic approach to the situation is starting to emerge.
Where is the situation going?
Unfortunately, we are at best looking at a continued gloves-off war of attrition and at worst a re-occupation by Israel of Gaza and Southern Lebanon, something no one, least of all the Israelis, will want.
What is your perspective on South Africa’s involvement?
South Africa needs to tell Hamas and Hizbullah — preferably in private meetings — that their actions, and their quest for total victory by any means necessary, are unacceptable and a recipe for disaster for the entire region.