ANC making a mockery of SA’s past

THE ANC’s statement regarding DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s recent visit to Israel refers.

There is nothing more frightening in life than having to face your fears head-on.

The ANC and supporters within the ranks of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement seem to have an almost pathological fear of South Africans, especially those in influential or decisionmaking roles who visit the Jewish state and discover, much to the shock and horror of the above-mentioned organisations, that Israel is in fact a pluralistic and robust democracy.

Flawed maybe, democratic.

Israel is certainly not an apartheid state as has been stated time and time again by those who have had the courage but and foresight to come and see for themselves – some of those folks have even been former BDS supporters.

One should applaud Maimane who has displayed characteristics that honour true leaders who find out the facts for themselves and look for possible solutions for both countries.

Sadly, the ANC’s hysterical hand-wringing coupled with some of the most offensive tones such as the age-old stereotypes that “the allegations that the DA is funded and controlled by apartheid Israel sympathisers seems to be true” is dangerous and anti-Semitic.

I believe that both Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela who encouraged dialogue and bridge-building would turn in their graves at the blatant intolerance and accusation shown in this statement rather than at the DA leader meeting Israel, which they would applaud.

Monday had been Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day in the US when this icon of civil and human rights who was a fervent Zionist was remembered.

After reading the appalling statement by the ANC that makes a mockery of both South Africa’s history of dialogue and reconciliation, I cannot help but think of the quote that expressed the tenets of this great man who famously said: “When people criticise Zionists they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism.”

I extend an invitation to all peace-loving South Africans who seek to build bridges and find positive solutions to please come and visit our beautiful, flawed, thriving democracy and see the facts on the ground for yourself.

Don’t let those that are anti-normalisation and peace dictate your movements – this just hearkens back to South Africa’s tragic past.

WRITE TO US

Modi’in, Israel