Israel’s action in the Middle East has triggered “unprecedented anti-Americanism” and restiveness on the streets, even of moderate Arab states in the region, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad told parliamentarians on Thursday afternoon.
Noting that the international community now needs to resolve the situation that had led to the destruction of most of Lebanon’s infrastructure, he said: “I want to warn that the potential for increased terrorism is greater today than it has ever been.”
Initiating the debate in the National Assembly on the situation in the Middle East, Pahad said there is a feeling among moderate governments in the region that Israel’s actions had threatened “their very existence”.
“We are now faced with situation where hatred is unprecedented in the region,” said Pahad.
The reaction of Israel to the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah had been disproportionate, he said.
Pahad also said it was the “wrong analytical analysis” that Israel was dealing with a Messianic Islam where “the fire of war” against the infidel burns within them. There was the incorrect view that the only way to deal with this was through military force — creating “a new strategic balance between the forces of good and radical Islam”.
He said a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine — behind secure borders for both — was the key to peace in the region.
Official opposition Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said it was remarkable that the South African Parliament is able to debate the Middle East situation at a drop of a hat — and Minster of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils and Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille can call for sanctions against Israel — but there is no debate about the report of Parliament’s election observer mission to the troubled Zimbabwe.
He said: “People are rightly horrified at the appalling tragedy of Qana, and Mr Kasrils and the Honourable De Lille call for sanctions against Israel.
“But they stay silent about 700 000 victims of Operation Murambatsvina (Operation clear up the Trash) in Zimbabwe. Why no demonstrations and why no sanctions there?”
Gibson said: “The world was shocked at the loss of life in the 34 days of the war, with 1 110 killed. In those 34 days in South Africa 1 750 people were murdered, at a rate of 51 per day. Those who express concern and outrage at these violent crimes are accused of being whingers and are invited to leave the country. Where the government and Minister Kasrils have the power to act, they do not.”
He said that South Africa’s response to the Hezbollah/Israeli war should be to “stay calm and not allow these tensions to affect relations between the communities in this country”.
“We need to understand that we are irrelevant to that situation. We have no power and little influence there. Our contribution to peace would be to use our influence in Africa and in the Non-Aligned Movement to lobby for the recognition of both Palestine and Israel with secure borders.”
De Lille said she supported the balanced approach of the deputy minister. What was happening in the Middle East “is an indictment on the whole world”.
“In light of our own history of human rights violations, as South Africans we should be the first to condemn these abuses.”
She said: “The ID calls on the South African government to support the people of Lebanon and Palestine in their struggle against Israeli occupation.”
The ID leader said her party believed that the United States, “which openly takes sides, must be removed from its so-called role as mediator in the conflict”. — I-Net Bridge