Held on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 in Cape Town
INTRODUCTION
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, chaired by Mr. Tiseto Magama, MP, met on Wednesday, 12 October, for a briefing by the Palestinian Representative, the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, and the Egyptian Community in South Africa on the issue of the Palestinian bid for full membership at the United Nations. The Committee member turnout was poor ; the representatives from the Palestinian Authority and the Israel Ambassador to South Africa did not pitch up. Other attendees prepared to give testimony were three local NGOs supporting the Palestinian cause: Open Shahada Street, ECOSA (Egyptian Community of South Africa) and COSATU’s Palestinian solidarity wing.
If anything was achieved, five former South African Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) in the West Bank attended. This group, led by Terry Crawford-Browne, briefed the Chairperson briefly about the EAPPI program, but more persuasively about the upcoming Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RToP) and the need for his Committee members from Parliament to attend this two-day Tribunal. Essentially, the EAPPI Cape Town has become a ‘stakeholder’ vis a vis future consultations with government on the Palestinian issue!
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| L-R: EAs Jeremy Routledge, Richard Cogill, Terry Crawford-Browne, Luleka Nyhila, Carol Martin |
Missing, but key invitees, were the representatives (Ambassador of Israel to RSA, and the Palestine Representative) who were necessary for presenting any informational debate of substance! So like talked to like, basically. The usual chimes of well-worn arguments of end the occupation, negotiate conditions for peace before peace is made, etc. were put forward by the stakeholders. The Israeli representative did not pitch because his invitation to attend was sent a day “before the Jewish holiday”, thereby arriving too “late” to his office to make a decision on attending. However, his office did say his Deputy Ambassador was “available”. Then a separate invitation was sent to the Deputy Ambassador who declined to attend because the invitation arrived only “two days” before the event. Therefore, another “too short notice”.
PROCEEDINGS
The Chair considered this a “breakdown of communication” and gave one conclusion: that Israel is not doing itself a favour as it has been given an opportunity to respond to a discussion. Other points raised:
1. How does the recent prison release swap of one Israeli for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners impact on the Palestinian State solution? A Palestinian State, which is a lasting solution, is more important to South Africa than a prisoner swap.
2. The Friends of Israel had sent a letter to COSATU, but did not come to this Committee meeting. However, the Chairperson replied that he never received any memorandum from the Friends about their attendance.
The COSATU representative gave perspectives beginning and ending with: “An injury to one is an injury to all”:
1. The PLO is looking to RSA for guidance
2. A number of South African reps have traveled to and through the Palestine ‘bantustans’ and feel Parliament must back Palestine’s self-development by advocating for the end of the Occupation.
3. Recognition at the UN for statehood is only part of the struggle: There are seven basic principles to uphold, which include ending the Occupation and dismantling the Wall; respect for the Palestinians’ right to return to their former homes; recognition of the rights of all Palestinians to full equality under a fair justice system; and ending the blockade on Gaza.
4. Suggestion that Parliament set up a task team to hammer out details of South Africa’s support, based on the above seven pre-conditions.
5. Intensify pressure to end the Occupation through the Boycott, Divestiture, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign which, in turn, must address the “US hypocracy and double-standards” in its voting and veto powers at the UN. There have been todate 41 vetoes by the US in support of Israel.
Mr. Mohamed Haed of the Egyptian Community of South Africa (ECOSA) gave an impassioned speech which quoted Mandela, Archbishop Tutu, and the 2007 HSRC Report, encouraging all to read the executive summary of this 300 page report, “Occupation, Colonialism, Apartheid?” Other points:
1. The ‘should’ in UN Resolution 242 (Nov 1967) was not recognized by Israel. Rather, the wording should have been ‘must’.
2. During Israel’s own admission to the UN, the Resolution governing that had asked nations to have a “sympathetic consideration” to such entry as a State.
3. 75% of the world’s population in 128 countries now recognize Palestine. “But it’s all a damn political game!” said Mohamed. Palestine had all the prerequisites for Statehood according to UN conditions and Mandate of 1933.
4. In April 2011, the IMF declared Palestine able to perform as a “well-functioning state”. Statehood of Palestine does not delegitimize the state of Israel.
Zackie Ackmat and his team represented the NGO, Open Shahada Street with these points:
1. OSS supports the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the Capitol, is against all forms of violence and racism.
2. The Ahava campaign is part of the BDS, particularly against the Wellness Warehouse in Cape Town.
3. Calls for Parliament to consider the internationally recognized law that products from the Occupied territory must be labeled as such, and not as ‘products of Israel’.
4. Zackie is donating to the Committee parliamentarians the book, “The Unspoken Alliance” about the Israel Defense Force’s collaboration with the South African Defense Force during apartheid.
5. The West Bank village of Nabisaleh (?) of 500 people has a nearby settlement of 1000 people who have taken over a well used by the village. During the Palestinians’ protest, 78 people (out of 500) were arrested by the IDF, who had raided homes and photographed every male child.
6. The Oslo accords allowed the IDF to control 80% of the West Bank lands.
7. Personal view is that Palestinian children have the right to remain silent when arrested and that Palestinians must be taught aspects of self-defense, like this.
8. The OSS makes these requests to the Committee:
8.1 call the European Union to not vote against Palestine statehood in the UN.
8.2 call the African Union to vote as a group, and not for instance as separate countries, i.e. Nigeria and Gabon which are not yet committed to a ‘yes’ vote.
8.3 Parliament MUST debate questions about the BDS, i.e. ask the Ministry of Trade and Industry to demand that proper labeling of goods from illegally occupied territories, like the West Bank, be adhered to. This notice must become law in RSA.
8.4 ask the South African Ambassador to Israel and the South African Representative to the Palestine Authority to show solidarity for arrested Palestinians by making visits to them.
8.5 organize solidarity visits with Palestinians with such groups as Breaking the Silence and other Israeli peace groups working in the West Bank (like Bt’selem NGO).
8.6 Regarding the Russell Tribunal on Palestine in November, OSS encourages Committee attendance, including the Chairperson.
A Palestinian (from Jenin, currently finishing his Ph.D. at UCT) representing the statehood cause made the following points:
1. It is necessary to highlight the Jewish terrorists who harass, maim, and kill innocent Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as in Gaza in 2008 for 22 days war by the IDF.
2. The education sector is very important, siting his own example of being able to study in South African institutions. South Africa is requested to facilitate more Palestinians to come for study in RSA.
Various Committee MPs gave responses:
Smuts N.: RSA’s position on the Palestinian question is based on our own struggle. According to our Constitution, our government cannot waiver on matters of violence; we must call on the stop of all killings. The Committee should also make time to reflect on the stakeholders’ evidence and consider “assisting the players at the ground level”. Also, the government “has to listen to the other side (Israeli) in order to move forward”.
Another MP: RSA supports a 2-state solution, but criticizes the Quartet for delaying negotiations. Also, he decries the Palestinian’s lack of unity, and that this disunity (between the PA and Hamas) is being used by others to move way from negotiations.
The MP spokesperson for the ACDP: a “unilateral approach to statehood (i.e. via the UN) violates a solution”; Israel and Palestine, rather, must be called back to the table of negotiations. The UN Resolutions have consistently refused “unilateral action”. [Later, someone made the correction that the UN is not a ‘unilateral’ body, but a ‘multilateral’ one, and that the term ‘unilateral’ is being misused by the MP!] The ACDP supports a 2-state solution, and says that Israel has offered its concessions. Yet, Hamas continues to support violence towards Israel.
Ms. September, MP, says: Even South Africa had to apply several times to the UN for membership! She recommended that there should be a public debate to which ALL parties are invited, including Israeli reps. This Portfolio Committee should bring the debate to the wider Parliament, and go to the IPU for votes. Also, the BDS campaign should approach the Intellectual Property committee, rather than just pressure the Trade and Industry groups.
CHAIR CONCLUSIONS
The Chairperson Mr. Magama made the following conclusions:
1. This Palestinian issue has been a protracted moral issue for so long! Strategic concessions are needed:
2. He is convinced that Parliament needs more debate, particularly WITH both Palestinian and Israeli representatives.
3. He will submit a report of this briefing to the House for action.
The meeting opened at 14.25 and closed at 16.15.
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The three EAs then briefed the Chairperson about the RToP, as mentioned above in the Introduction.
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