South Africa lawmakers vote to suspend Israel ties, close embassy

[eester]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/21/south-african-parliament-votes-for-motion-calling-to-close-israeli-embassy

The motion calling for the closure of the embassy passed with 248 votes in favour and 91 votes against.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/thousands-march-in-south-africa-in-solidarity-with-palestine/3051312

@SomeCatFromJapan Yes, so much violence and poverty. I can't comment more because I simply don't know enough, but I would say that apartheid and colonialism have left scars. There are probably many factors which hold the country back. I don't think that means they can't make good decisions on a matter of conscience, however.

https://www.voanews.com/a/south-africa-refers-israel-to-the-hague-over-gaza-war-crimes-/7359022.html

The BRICS countries are bought and paid for by Russia and china. That’s why they are condemning Israel but had nothing to say about Russia. They don’t give a shiny shit about the Palestinian people and the idea that they are supporting the Palestinian people due to some common feeling around apartheid is fucking laughable.

The UK and EU are bought and paid for by the US. That’s why they condemn Hamas and support Israel. They don’t give a shit about the Jewish people.

FFS - people are so fucking ridiculous trying to find goodies and baddies as if it’s a movie. Both ‘sides’ want the the eradication of the other. The only difference is that israel have more fire power than the Palestinians.

Stand up for justice and speak up even if your voice shakes

I love this quote ❤️
And yes, well done to South Africa 🇵🇸

Because the suffering of white people must of course always be everyone’s priority… Somehow I’m sure you were silent when everyone was welcoming Ukrainians after they had been so scornful of ME refugees.

🇿🇦Whoop South Africa. I’m still somewhat skeptical the Brics will put aside any meaningful amount resources to improve the lives of Palestinians but it’s better than us at least

@SomeCatFromJapan pity the US and U.K. have double standards when it comes to war and killing of innocent civilians.

@tescocreditcard like the west can’t care less about Jewish lives but it suits their agenda so hey, why not. We’ll fund the genocide of millions of people

This thread is one of the stupidest I have ever read on mumsnet!

Let's remember this fact:

Israel sold weapons to the South African apartheid government in 1975 and even agreed to supply nuclear warheads, according to declassified documents – though Israel denies doing so.

Dirty secret of Israel’s weapons exports: They’re tested on Palestinians www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/17/israels-weapons-industry-is-the-gaza-war-its-latest-test-lab

And yet here you are with your highly insightful analysis to set us straight.

I'm not sure there's much point, given the level of discussion, but, I was very active in the anti-apartheid movement and if you're looking for a modern equivalent it's Iran you need to look at. Do some research -look at the wider geopolitics. And, yet again, no-one gives a shit about South Africa, or any other Africans (Darfur anyone?!) until they say something about Israel/Palestine. Its so tedious.

South African citizens are murdered at a rate of 25 000 people annually. It would behove the ANC to try and get on top of that particular statistic.

Because the suffering of white people must of course always be everyone’s priority… Somehow I’m sure you were silent when everyone was welcoming Ukrainians after they had been so scornful of ME refugees.

So you're applauding SA for not comdeming Russa over Ukraine because the victims are white? Jesus.

I have several close relatives from SA, so yes I do give a shit, thanks for the misinformed judgement though.

This post should probably have the clarification that none of this will necessarily happen.
https://twitter.com/SAzionfed/status/1727265825382707407

Oh and look, at the end of that thread, an antisemite writes. Which highlights the big problem with all these virtue-signalling gestures. They have little to no impact on the conflict but they do have an impact on community relations in their country, stirring up hatreds that impact on people living there. Its particularly sad when you think how important Jews were in the anti-apartheid struggle in SA. Like pretty much everywhere the SA Jewish community has declined since the 70s - to about half what it was with most going to Israel.

@SharonEllis

You talk about South Africa "stirring up hatred". How about Israeli ministers?

Defence minister Yoav Gallant “We are fighting human animals”.

Prime minister Binyamin Netanhayu on Palestine: “A struggle between the children of light and the children of darkness, between humanity and the law of the jungle.”

In 1982, during the war on Lebanon, prime minister Menachem Begin described Palestinians as “beasts walking on two legs”.

Chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces, Rafael Eitan said, “When we have colonised the country, all the Arabs will have left to do is go around in circles like drugged cockroaches in a bottle.”

Totally missed the point. 100%.

The sheer gaslighting in your accusing South Africa of "stirring up hatred" when it is speaking out against the oppression and collective punishment of millions of Palestinians.

Speaking out against the actions of the Israeli govt is not the same as speaking out against Jewish people. And in case you didn't realise, not all Jewish people support Israeli govt action.

Still missing the point. Please direct me to where I said all Jewish people support Israeli government action.

You claimed South Africa as giving "virtue-signalling gestures" claiming they have "They have little to no impact on the conflict" and said it was stirring up hate when in fact it was speaking out against oppression.

International pressure, sanctions, boycotting and diplomacy helped to end apartheid in South Africa.

Pressure from all sides. Gestures like the South African vote count as speaking out against oppression, and put pressure on governments. They gather momentum and gain publicity. Other governments follow suit. It all helps. It may be symbolic but symbolic gestures add up and build to change situations.

Of course, if you support Israeli govt you'd prefer us all to look away and ignore it. That helps nobody except those who continue their oppression.

Oh dear. More Israel bashing. Such a shame that Hamas broke the ceasefire on 7 October. Let’s blame it all on Israel though. It really shouldn’t be trying to defend its very existence.

@IsThePopeCatholic yes, we will continue to speak out against Israeli govt war crimes, genocide and oppression of the Palestinian people as long as they continue to do it.