The Western Cape African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader, Ferlon Christians, chanted ‘Long live Israel’ during the debate on the Western Cape State of the Province on Tuesday.
Also read: SA urges ICJ to pressure Israel to halt Rafah offensive
Christians made the announcement while hearings are currently held at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The ICJ is hearing submissions from 52 countries and three international organisations to advise it on the consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.
On Tuesday, South African representatives addressed the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) request for a non-binding advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, Al Jazeera reports.
‘We as South Africans sense, see, hear and feel to our core the inhumane discriminatory policies and practices of the Israeli regime as an even more extreme form of the apartheid that was institutionalised against Black people in my country,’ Vusimuzi Madonsela, South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, said during the hearing.
‘It is clear that Israel’s illegal occupation is also being administered in breach of the crime of apartheid… It is indistinguishable from settler colonialism. Israel’s apartheid must end.’
On Wednesday, 14 February, ACDP MP Rev Kenneth Meshoe addressed the National Assembly Debates in response to President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address.
During his speech, he noted why he does not believe that the government’s efforts ‘will yield any lasting fruit or stop the hostilities between Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza’, adding that the ACDP ‘longs to see peace between Israel and Palestine but this won’t be possible until the right of Israel to exist within safe and secure borders has been acknowledged and agreed to.’
Watch:
Read his full statement here.
During the Debate of the State of the Province Address, held on 20 February, ACDP leader Ferlon Christians chanted, ‘Long live Israel, long live Israel. I will make you more angry’ after criticising the ANC.
‘We know everything the ANC touches breaks, [is] stolen or disappears. I want to tell the people of this province that the ANC and EFF are disastrous for this province and country.’
Watch (Christians starts speaking at 2:11:57):
His remarks follow a day after Premier Alan Winde referenced the Israel-Hamas war during the Western Cape State of the Province Address.
‘It is only through talking and engaging each other that we can resolve our differences. We owe it to each other to share our views respectfully and with compassion.’
‘Many Western Cape residents and citizens across the world are understandably and rightly deeply affected and concerned by the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.’
‘I too am horrified at the violence. My heart breaks, in particular for the children, the vulnerable and innocent citizens who have died in this war. Violence against children is completely unacceptable, in any context.’
‘Whether they are in the Middle East, Ukraine, or Cape Town, our children must be protected at all costs.’
Last year, the ACDP rejected the motion tabled to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and cut all diplomatic ties with the country.
At the time, the party stated that it was ‘unprecedented’ and that it would hinder the efforts of pilgrims to visit the holy land.
‘His (Christians) party has always been an extreme supporter of Israeli genocide. There is no place in an inclusive Western Cape and SA for [the] promotion of genocide and racism,’ the ANC’s provincial spokesperson, Khalid Sayed, told News24.
Also read:
SA’s relations minister condemns Israel for ignoring ICJ order on Gaza
Picture: Screenshot of video
