ANC is using the war on Gaza for short-term political gain

CAPE TOWN - Unhappy with government siding with Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is lending support to Israel on a peace mission to that country.

ACDP member of Parliament, Marie Sukers, who is there on the invitation of the South African Friends of Israel, said government had become compromised in its approach.

Israel is this week expected to deliver its second report to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on how it's complying with provisional measures ordered by the court in January.

The ACDP said it noted this week’s United Nations Security Council resolution on a ceasefire but that it’s unlikely to have an impact on the situation in Gaza.

The ACDP said propaganda was distorting historical facts to suit a false narrative and political goals.

It said the ANC was using the war on Gaza for short-term political gain, particularly in the Western Cape.

Sukers said government’s position was impacting both Christian and Jewish communities in South Africa.

"The actions of the government is experienced as quite insulting to Christians. It’s offensive, in that there’s no regard for the strong beliefs that Christians hold around Jerusalem, the holy city, and the people of Israel, the Jewish people."

The party said that by siding with Palestinians, South Africa could not play a credible mediatory role in the conflict.

"The ACDP believes that the ANC government has taken an unfortunate position, inserted themselves into this war in a very active manner, becoming part of the conflict."

The ACDP added that South Africa’s position was impacting on trade relations with Western countries.

ANC is using the war on Gaza for short-term political gain - ACDP

ACDP member of Parliament, Marie Sukers, who is in Israel on the invitation of the South African Friends of Israel, said government had become compromised in its approach.