The political landscape in Cape Town, South Africa leading up to the general elections on May 29th was marked by strong sentiments on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Residents of Surrey Estate, a Muslim suburb, expressed their anger towards the Democratic Alliance (DA) representative, accusing the party of supporting genocide in Gaza. The ANC, on the other hand, has taken a strong stance in support of Palestine, condemning human rights violations under Israeli occupation and taking Israel to the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide in Gaza. The ANC’s position on Palestine has been a common theme in election debates, with President Cyril Ramaphosa affirming the government’s commitment to Palestinian solidarity.
The ANC’s consistent support for Palestine has been viewed by some as a principled stance rooted in historical solidarity between the liberation movements of South Africa and Palestine. However, opposition leader Herman Mashaba criticized the ANC for focusing on international issues like Gaza instead of addressing the pressing problems facing South Africa, such as high crime rates. Mashaba’s party, ActionSA, advocates for a focus on domestic issues before looking at international crises. Other opposition parties, like the Patriotic Alliance, have also taken a different stance on Palestine, with leader Gayton McKenzie emphasizing the need to prioritize South Africa’s internal challenges.
The ANC’s support for Palestine has been compared to its fight against apartheid in South Africa, with the party using the issue to gain support among certain groups of voters. Despite criticism from some opposition parties, the ANC’s commitment to Palestinian solidarity remains unwavering, with government representatives participating in global events like the Global Anti-Apartheid Conference for Palestine. The ANC’s vocal support for Palestine has garnered applause from South African workers and has been a consistent theme in the party’s election campaign events.
The EFF and uMkhonto we Sizwe parties have also shown solidarity with Palestine, while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has remained neutral on the matter. Al Jama-ah, a Muslim-focused party, has centered its election campaign around support for Palestine. Analysts believe that the persistent conflict in Gaza could impact voter behavior in this election, particularly among working-class Muslim voters in Cape Town and other areas who have traditionally supported the DA. The differing positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict have added complexity to the political landscape in South Africa leading up to the general elections.
