Durban – The South African Muslim Network (Samnet) has paid homage to the late former South African ambassador to Israel, Ismael Coovadia, describing him as a distinguished leader who stood firm against the persecution of Palestinians.
The president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), Mary Kluk, has meanwhile issued a public broadside against President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration, saying his recent statements and those by the government were negating efforts to quell the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Coovadia’s stance in openly denouncing the “apartheid-like” treatment of Palestine would inspire many like-minded people across the world to remain steadfast against the Israeli oppressive regime, said Dr Faisal Suliman, the head of Samnet.
In the same spirit as he opposed apartheid in South Africa, Coovadia distinguished himself when he put up a fierce fight against Israel, the highlight of which was his refusal to accept the plantation of 18 trees by Israel in his honour, Suliman said.
The ANC said Coovadia, who died on Sunday, would be remembered for rejecting the gift of the trees, on the basis that they were planted on occupied Palestinian soil.
“This rejection is consistent with his principled opposition to Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and the callous brutality that Palestinians are subjected to on a daily basis,” ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said.
“The ANC dips its revolutionary flag in honour of one of its most dedicated and selfless cadres. As the apartheid Israel continues with its campaign of brutality and forceful removals of Palestinians from their land, the ANC calls on the people of SA and all peace-loving people of the world to follow the noble example of principle and solidarity demonstrated by ambassador Coovadia,” said Mabe.
“The best tribute we can pay in honour of this son of the soil is for the international community to put relentless pressure on the Israeli regime to stop its campaign of systematic repression and ruthless brutality against the people of Palestine.
“As we remember ambassador Coovadia, let us make a solemn commitment that apartheid Israel will no longer be allowed to continue violating international law with impunity. In his name and honour, apartheid Israel must be held accountable for perpetrating crimes against humanity,” said the party, adding that it hoped his family, friends and the broader democratic movement would find solace in the knowledge that the nation shares in their grief.
While the SAJBD did not respond to the ANC’s comments directly, the organisation said Ramaphosa had failed to seize an opportunity to understand the two warring sides.
“To be a facilitator for peace one needs to understand the situation from both sides. In your letter you fully apportion blame against the Israelis neglecting to mention the over 4 000 rockets that have been targeted against Israeli citizens in the past week from Hamas in Gaza,” the SAJBD said in a public letter by Kluk.
“The murderous intention of these rockets into densely populated civilian areas in Israel cannot be overstated. No government can play a role when they have no first-hand knowledge of the situation on the ground.
’’Our (SA) government has no envoy in the region and no ambassador in the country. Perhaps that would explain the multiple factual inaccuracies in your letter,” the organisation wrote in reference to last Monday’s weekly statement by Ramaphosa.
“As you rightly say, negotiation is pivotal in finding a way forward to a Two-State Solution. SA could, and should, play such a meaningful role in bringing the parties to the negotiating table, already having the ear of Fatah and Hamas. All our government would need to do is to gain the trust of the Israeli people.
’’You cannot do this while demonising the country, as you have in your letter. Using the provocative and divisive language that you have, will not lead to a peaceful solution. Rather, it will just serve to push the parties apart.
“You talk about compromise. This is only possible when both of the warring parties sit together and negotiate their own way forward. Once again, we call on our government to use its expertise in this matter and act as an honest broker,” Kluk wrote.
Ramaphosa wrote that the escalating situation demonstrated that unless the illegal occupation by Israel of Palestinian land and the denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination were addressed, as they were the root cause of the problem, there would never be peace.