Israel-Hamas war: the case for cutting ties with Israel

--:--
South Africa’s position in the Israel-Hamas war has further strained relations between Pretoria and the Israeli government, culminating this week in the withdrawal of our country’s diplomats from Israel.
In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we explore the issues at the heart of the disagreement between the countries, and why South Africa is supporting the cause of the Palestinians.
Our guests are Garth le Pere, visiting professor at the University of Pretoria, and Dr Lubna Nadvi, who teaches politics at UKZN.
The two kick us off by explaining the historical relationship between the ANC (by extension the current government) and Palestinians and the history of the war.
Nadvi, analysing the significance of the recalling our diplomats from Israel, argues the decision was inevitable and says the real test will be when South Africa shuts the Israeli embassy.
The war has displaced more than 2-million people in Gaza and the deaths of nearly 11,000 Palestinians. 
Nadvi’s teaching areas include international relations, Middle Eastern politics and peace studies while Le Pere is an executive director at the Institute for Global Dialogue. His areas of interest include international relations, South African foreign policy and the politics of the Middle East.
Producer: Bulelani Nonyukela.
9 Nov 2023 English South Africa News · Government

Other recent episodes

Zuma is out for revenge and has nothing to lose

One of the big election stories has been the Jacob Zuma factor and his uMkhonto weSizwe Party. According to polls and by-election results, the party has outshone parties such as the EFF and the IFP. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we explain and hopefully demystify the…
18 Apr 37 min

Understanding Elections with Ebrahim Fakir

Mike Siluma sits down with Election expert Ebrahim Fakir to discuss the upcoming South African elections and what you need to know from how they work, to how they are calculated and what you need to do!
28 Mar 34 min

Backing Zuma my worst mistake: Zwelinzima Vavi

Veteran trade union leader Zwelinzima Vavi has had his setbacks, but the “tragic mistake” he is still kicking himself for was to support Jacob Zuma in becoming president of the ANC and the republic. The only mistake, and the biggest mistake, is that I was convinced by some members of…
16 Mar 1 hr 41 min

Did Zondo’s state capture recommendations fall on deaf ears?

This week police arrested Dudu Myeni, the former chairperson of SAA and an associate of ex-president Jacob Zuma on fraud and corruption charges – charges arising from benefits she allegedly received from Bosasa, the defunct company implicated in state capture. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we…
5 Oct 2023 37 min

Mangosuthu Buthelezi - The man who tried to ride two horses

This week on Sunday Times Politics Weekly we delve into the controversial legacy of IFP founder and prime minister to the Zulu nation Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died at the weekend at the age of 95.  Buthelezi's legacy has been the centre of debate in recent days after his passing, with some labelling…
15 Sep 2023 46 min