Opinion
South African Parliamentarians Betray Their Values in Support of Apartheid Israel
In a disgraceful turn of events, a group of South African parliamentarians recently visited apartheid Israel, echoing a disturbing trend from the past when political figures and celebrities chose profit over principle. This visit, much like the notorious rebel tours during apartheid, is a blatant betrayal of South Africa’s history and moral compass.
During the apartheid era, many sports stars, academics, and celebrities ignored the global cultural and sporting boycott and visited South Africa, giving legitimacy to the racist regime. One such infamous event was the English rebel cricket tour of 1990, led by Mike Gatting. The tour was met with fierce protests and was ultimately canceled, but the damage had been done—those who participated had willingly broken the boycott and supported a system built on racial oppression.
Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves witnessing the same moral failure from some of South Africa’s elected parliamentarians. These individuals, who traveled to Israel as guests of Benjamin Netanyahu, returned with glowing reports, claiming not to have witnessed any human rights violations. This echoes the rhetoric of the apartheid-era supporters, who similarly claimed that they saw no evidence of racial discrimination while touring South Africa under the regime’s control.
The hypocrisy is staggering. These parliamentarians, who should stand as moral leaders, are now complicit in the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. For a short trip and a few monetary rewards, they have chosen to ignore the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. Their silence and support for Israel are an indictment of their character and a betrayal of their duty to stand against oppression.
South Africa’s legacy is one of resistance to tyranny and a staunch commitment to human rights. Our parliamentarians, who should be upholding these values, have instead chosen to ignore the painful reality faced by millions of Palestinians. Any person with dignity and self-respect would unequivocally denounce the violence and barbarism of the Zionist regime and its primary ally, the United States.
This shameful visit not only tarnishes the reputation of the parliamentarians involved but also sends a dangerous message to the world—that South Africa’s commitment to human rights can be bought. For those who hold onto the principles of justice and equality, this act is a call to renew our efforts in supporting Palestine and condemning the actions of apartheid Israel.
The time has come for all of us to speak out, not just for Palestine, but for the very soul of our nation, which was built on the foundation of freedom and justice for all.
{Source: IOL}
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