INTERNATIONAL

The South African government deserves more praise than it gets for a foreign policy that has sought to maintain old relationships with countries in the global north, even as it develops new relations with BRICS partners – and for its courage to act on its principles by charging Israel with genocide at the International Court of Justice.

The GOOD Party welcomes reports of an imminent ceasefire in the Holy Land. It will bring immediate relief to both Palestinians and Israelis: The genocide in Gaza will be placed on pause, Hamas will release the Israeli hostages it still holds, and Israel will release Palestinian political prisoners. These are critical steps to stopping the bloodshed and destruction, but until we know what the future holds for Gazans, we can’t know if the peace will be sustainable – and it is therefore too soon for unbridled celebrations. The homes of more than 90% of Gazans have been destroyed along with the vast bulk of the territory’s infrastructure.

Today marks the second anniversary of Hamas’ deadly incursion of Israel that claimed 1200 lives and saw 250 Israelis taken hostage – 20 of whom are still believed to be alive.

In the two years since the attack, the Israeli Defense Force has flattened much of the infrastructure in Gaza, killed more than 64000 Palestinians, and imposed a blockade that has denied Gazans access to food, water and medical treatment. Israel’s vengeance has been characterized by many, including South Africa’s government, as genocide.

The GOOD Party heeds the call by Mandla Mandela urging the South African government to “call for the immediate release” of international activists detained by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Mandela issued this plea from aboard the Alma, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, before the vessel was intercepted while attempting to break Israel’s inhumane siege on Gaza and deliver much-needed aid.

South Africa could add Donald Trump’s America to its case of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice after the US leader green-lighted Israel’s continued destruction of Palestine, should his plan to control Gaza meet with any resistance. But, because the US does not recognise the ICJ, adding it to the case would practically achieve little.
The Israeli Defense Force is dependent on the US for the military arsenal it has used to conduct genocide.

As images of starving children emerge from Gaza and the International Court of Justice continues to weigh evidence of genocide, the GOOD Party calls on the Members of Parliament who travelled to Israel in April under the guise of a “fact-finding” mission to answer one simple question: Do you still stand by your assessment that Israel is a paragon of human rights?