Call for DIRCO to set the record straight following Israeli claims and mistruths

The human rights and Palestine solidarity organization BDS South Africa joins the over 85 organisations around the country in celebrating last week’s incredible campaign of internationalism and solidarity through the #IsraeliAparthiedWeek initiative.
The campaign affirmed South Africa’s support for the people of Palestine and we salute all participating groups, including South Africa’s governing party, and in particular we welcome the various high-ranking ANC and government officials who participated during IAW.

There were several highlights during this years #IsraeliApartheidWeek including successful sports events, comedy shows, music concerts, protests, public lectures, seminars and more. We were also proud to have the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly and Former Deputy President of South Africa, Cde Baleka Mbete, speak at an #IsraeliApartheidWeek event in Stellenbosch (click here for her speech).

This year’s #IsraeliApartheidWeek saw the Israeli lobby trying to undermine the campaign like never before. Money was spent to bring pro-Israeli spokespersons, speakers and students to counter IAW, resources were also spent on media and marketing to counter the IAW campaign.

It seems more than a coincidence then that the Israeli regime arranged a meeting between Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General and South African Department of International Relations Director General during #IsraeliApartheidWeek.
It is to us abnormal and greatly disturbing for a South African government official to be meeting with an Israeli government official in light of the known positions of the South African government and its governing party to curtail relations with the State of Israel, the content of the meeting, as reported by Israeli officials, is gravely concerning.

Apartheid South Africa had shameful relations with Israel during the 1980s but the new government under the ANC has continually reviewed its relations with Israel. In 2014 the governing party’s NEC took a decision to join the "call for a cultural, academic and education boycott of Israel including travel bans for members and leaders of the ANC, the Alliance, Members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament and Government Officials…[and for] companies that do business in the occupied [Palestinian] territory, such as Capegate, G4S Security and Caterpillar" to not be allowed to business with the state.

We therefore welcome DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela's clarification that, in contradiction to to the Israeli ministry, the meeting was simply “a consultation meeting and no agreements were signed.” We also welcome the refusal by senior politicians from the ruling party to meet the Israeli Director General of Foreign Affairs at ANC Luthuli House Headquarters.

The Israeli lobby has sold mistruths claiming earlier this week on Tuesday 15 March that there is "a major shift in SA - Israel Relations”. BDS SA calls on DIRCO to publicly clarify the position of South Africa in relation to collaborating with Israel and whether existing policies of non-engagement (unless to pursue the peace process) still stands. We call on DIRCO to clarify as to whether existing policies still stands.

BDS SA together with several other organisations have requested a meeting with SA’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Comrade Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.