Democratic Alliance leader (DA) Mmusi Maimane has been slammed over his visit to Israel, with the ANC and Palestine solidarity and human rights organisation BDS South Africa rekking their bekke.
The DA said Maimane left the country on January 7, to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories “in order to listen and learn about the conflict firsthand and to discuss how South Africa should be playing a more constructive role in bringing the parties together for peace”.
However, the Israeli media, such as The Times of Israel, quoted officials saying the private visit was “focused on fostering business ties”.
Accompanied by three senior DA lawmakers, Maimane met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Isaac Herzog and other Israeli officials.
The DA said Maimane had also been due to meet with the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, but the meeting was cancelled “due to a scheduling conflict”.
BDS said the SA Human Sciences Research Council, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International all found that Israel is practising forms of apartheid regarding natural resources like water.
“It is in this context that BDS SA and our supporters condemn the cosying up of the DA with the collaborators of our former oppressors. Israel backed and supported Apartheid South Africa with weapons, including nuclear weaponry that was used against our people,” it said.
The ANC said Maimane had betrayed efforts by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo to build solidarity with Palestinians.
Maimane is accused of flouting the country’s foreign policy.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation said it would release a statement soon.