South Africa: Balancing Act on Israel, Palestine, and Gaza Ahead of Crucial Agoa Forum
As South Africa grapples with the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country finds itself once again walking a tightrope. This time, the delicate dance revolves around the Israel-Palestine-Gaza crisis. Pretoria is faced with the challenge of navigating its long-standing sympathies towards Palestine while maintaining its crucial economic ties with the West. The delicate diplomacy echoes the acrobatics performed by South Africa in its stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The South African government’s initial failure to condemn Hamas for its ruthless attack on Israel has raised eyebrows internationally. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people and the taking of more than 200 hostages, was met with silence from Pretoria. Furthermore, the recent mysterious phone call between International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, as well as her meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, have further fueled concerns abroad. Additionally, statements from the African National Congress (ANC) that seem to deny the existence of a Jewish state have only added to the unease.
South Africa will be hosting the annual forum of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) next week. Earlier this year, South Africa came perilously close to losing its place in the forum due to US concerns, particularly in Congress, that the country was aligning itself with Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. However, through energetic diplomacy, South Africa managed to salvage the Agoa Forum and secure its continued participation in the US program. The Agoa program grants eligible African countries duty and quota-free access to the highly lucrative US market for their exports.
As Pretoria prepares to welcome delegates from across Africa for the Agoa Forum, the country finds itself at a crossroads. Balancing its historical support for Palestine with its economic ties to the West is no easy task. South Africa must tread carefully to ensure it maintains its credibility as a trusted partner in the international arena, all while safeguarding its own interests. The eyes of the world will be on South Africa as it walks this diplomatic tightrope, and how it navigates the Israel-Palestine-Gaza issue will have far-reaching consequences.
South Africa: Balancing Act on Israel, Palestine, and Gaza Ahead of Crucial Agoa Forum
