Cape Town – Pro-Israeli groups in South Africa, including the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and the SA Zionist Federation, have criticised the government’s decision to refer the Israel government to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation into war crimes.
They expressed confusion and disappointment, stating that the move contradicts the discussions held with the ruling party about finding resolutions to the conflict in the Middle East.
Reports on Thursday said that President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking from Doha during his Middle East State visit, criticised Israel for turning Gaza into a concentration camp, highlighted the high death toll, particularly among children, and called for global intervention to cease Israeli actions.
The move came amid the recent conflict where over 11 000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, with a significantly lower death toll in Israel.
Ramaphosa urged other nations to support the Palestinian cause and called for a ceasefire and ICC investigation.
“The crisis between Israel and Palestine needs to be resolved through a two-state solution where Palestine emerges as a fully-fledged state as well as the continued existence of the Israel state. What is happening now in Gaza, which now turned into a concentration camp, where genocide is taking place and we stated our position as South Africa very clearly that we are opposed to the operations that are ongoing particularly as it is now targeting hospitals,” Ramaphosa said.
The pro-Israeli groups, however, emphasised the need to address the hostage situation and pressure Hamas for a ceasefire, arguing that punitive actions against Israel, such as reporting to the ICC, did not contribute to resolving the crisis, Times Live reported.
“I am a little puzzled because we had a meeting with the ANC two days ago and in that meeting, at length the ANC expressed their desire to play some role in trying to resolve this horrific conflict. We had discussed ways they could regain credibility by engaging both sides and then this kind of action was announced, and it does nothing further than to drive a wedge between the parties,” the report quoted SAJBD national director Wendy Kahn as saying.
The SA Zionist Federation condemned the referral, asserting that Israel was conducting a defensive war against Hamas in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, the ANC welcomed Ramaphosa’s announcement and indicated support for a motion to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
