The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has applauded the African National Congress (ANC) and supported its amendment to an EFF motion to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic ties.
ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina brought the amendment which was rejected by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF-Plus) and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).
Malema came to the defence of the amendment: “The amendment has met the requirement as you have indicated to the Chair that is the beginning and the end of the amendment. We therefore support it and we want to applaud the ANC for its maturity on this matter. It doesn’t matter how politically we can disagree, but when it comes to the issue of humanity we must protect the human rights of all human beings all over the world. Thank you ANC and thank you EFF members of Parliament.”
During declarations made by political parties, Majodina emphasised the ANC’s support for the motion and the ANC’s amendment.
“Our amendment to the EFF motion calls for a ceasefire to be agreed upon and both parties to the conflict commit to the United Nations, … whose outcome must be a just sustainable and lasting peace………we stand for peace……….Free Palestine no. Free Free Palestine.”
The DA’s Emma Powell says the EFF motion amended by the ANC will negatively affect 25 000 South Africans living in Israel.
“This motion actually runs counter-intuitive to the ANC’s stated aim of having a genuine stake in negotiating a peaceful resolution to this crisis, because by withdrawing diplomatic representation from Israel and expelling or demarche the Israeli embassy in South Africa we are severing diplomatic ties and therefore we have no genuine stake in playing a meaningful role in negotiating a peaceful resolution. And may I also say there are 25 000 South Africans that will now not have any access to consular services.”
FF-Plus Chief Whip Corne Mulder also slammed the amendment and motion. ” The motion that you want to adopt would have consequences for the standing of South Africa in the international world. I think it’s a mistake and I think we should not proceed with this. But be that as it may, the ANC has now followed the EFF. We will vote against this motion. I think you are making a big mistake.”
The ACDP’s Steve Swart also rejected the motion, “Surely ANC members of parliament can realise that it is not in the best interest to pursue this motion as amended because the outcome for United Nations-facilitated negotiations, yes it sounds wonderful. But it’s gonna take time, it’s gonna take years. And we need to be part of that solution as peacemakers.”
NFP Parliamentary leader Ahmed Shaik-Emam supported the call for a ceasefire instead of the other interventions suggested by some of the other parties.
“But if you didn’t achieve it, chairperson, for 75 years are we going to achieve it now, because the DA, the ACDP, the Freedom Front said we must do it. They could have played a pivotal role, chairperson, in bringing pressure to the Israelis together with all of us to say, ‘let’s find a peaceful solution’. They are not interested in that. You know why? This is all about the money they get. They have sold their souls.”
Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks described the motion as the most revolutionary motion.
“The motion by the EFF as amended by the ANC is the most revolutionary motion ever debated in the 6th Parliament and must be part of our legacy report so future generations can be proud of the sixth Parliament. The amendment should have gone further. There is no place for Israel in South Africa. And every trace of Israel must be wiped off our land South Africa. So Al Jama ah will support the motion. That embassy must get the same fate as the hospitals in Gaza.”
The amended motion was ultimately passed with more than 60% of the votes.
House Chairperson Cedric Frolick read the results: “Honourable members, the outcome of the division are as follows, there is No abstention, 91 voted against and 248 voted in favour and the motion as amended is accordingly agreed to……Free free Palestine……….)
Now that the resolution on the EFF motion has been passed successfully, it’s expected to be communicated to the Executive by the National Assembly Speaker.
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