By Peter Bailey
Observers are quick to compare the current situation in Israel with that in South Africa prior to the first democratic elections in 1994. The facts show that nothing could be further from the truth. The parties to the conflict in South Africa desired peace; the parties to one side of the conflict in Israel worship violence and incite killing and destruction. In recent weeks, representatives of both Hamas and Hezbollah have reaffirmed their determination to wipe the State of Israel off the map.
Memorial site for the young victims
This was so evident in mid-March 2017 when Ahmed Daqamseh, was released from a Jordanian prison after serving 20 years for the cold-blooded murder of seven Israeli schoolgirls aged 13 and 14. Daqamseh, who had become something of a symbol on the Arab street was greeted as a hero following his release. Exploiting the media coverage, this former Jordanian soldier – who had opened fire on a group of teenage girls visiting – ironically – Israel’s “Island of Peace” along its side of the border with Jordan expressed in an interview with Al Jazeera: “Don’t believe the lie of normalization with the Zionist entity. Don’t believe the lie of the two-state solution; Palestine united is from the ocean to the river…there is no state called Israel.” “From the ocean to the river” – Clearly no wiggle room here for compromise!
Majestic Madiba
The South Africa scenario was different. The ANC which believed it enjoyed the support of most South Africans, was solidly proven correct with the election result in 1994. It campaigned on majority rule, not on race.
Its predecessor, the National Party (NP), which had governed South Africa since 1948 had introduced the abhorrent Apartheid Laws, where everyone’s place in society was determined by the colour of their skin.
Israel too became independent in that same year – 1948, but that is where the similarity ends. From its inception in May that year, Israel has been a fully democratic state.
Every Israeli Citizen over the age of 18 has the right to vote and to become a candidate for election to the Knesset or Parliament. This principle has held from the very first Knesset, after the 1949 election, which saw three Arabs elected as Members of Parliament, right up to the present Knesset which has 17 Arab members following the 2015 elections. Despite the democratic record of Israel, and the acceptance of Israeli Arabs as equal members of society, the country has been repeatedly attacked by its Arab neighbours, the first attack immediately after Independence in 1948. Despite a negotiated armistice and cease fire, the neighbouring states encouraged raids against Israel, and supported terrorist activity against the young state, with the sole objective of bringing about the destruction of Israel. 
True Colours
The upshot of this increasing aggression was a defensive war Israel was compelled to fight in 1967, resulting in the territory west of the Jordan river falling under the control of Israel. At the same time, the Gaza Strip, which had been under Egyptian control, reverted to Israel as did the Golan Heights captured from Syria. Following Israel’s control of these areas, the Arab inhabitants commenced terror attacks under the bogus flag of seeking “an independent Palestinian State”.
In time, the true colours of their flag was clear – the destruction of the State of Israel.
The main negotiating parties that brought an end to the conflict in South Africa were the ANC and the NP, who, despite wide differences, found common ground to reach a settlement. The situation in Israel could not have been more different.
The position of the ANC, which was based on a document known as the ‘Freedom Charter’, spoke of equal rights for all in a democratic society.
In stark contrast, the position of the PLO, was made clear by its long time former leader, Yasser Arafat, when he unequivocally expressed: “Peace for us means the destruction of Israel. We are preparing for an all-out war, a war which will last for generations”.
From this so-misunderstood “moderate” PLO, to Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip with an iron fist, Arafat was ‘dead’ right – Palestinian leadership today are preparing their future generations for a war that “will last for generations”. The ‘Hamas Charter’ could not be more removed than the ANC’s ‘Freedom Charter’. It reads “our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious” and calls for the eventual creation of an Islamic state in Palestine, in place of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, as well as the obliteration of Israel. Article 13 of the Hamas Charter reads: “There is no negotiated settlement possible. Jihad is the only answer”.
With the PLO to the east in the West Bank, Hamas in the south in Gaza, Israel faces in the north, Hezbollah, entrenched in Lebanon and extending their tentacles on the Syrian border with Israel on the Golan Heights.
Less blunt than either the PLO or Hamas, Hezbollah’s “struggle will end only when Israel is obliterated. We recognize no treaty with it, no ceasefire, and no peace agreements.” Contrary to Hezbollah Secretary-General Nasrallah’s assertion that, “Israel is an illegal usurper entity,” Israel’s legal right to exist was emphatically confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947. Israel’s legal status is beyond reproach – except to the PLO, Hamas and Hezbollah!
Abba Eban
Triumvirate or Terror
With this triumvirate or terror stacked against democratic Israel, it’s tough to find common ground. Iran’s Hezbollah franchise in Lebanon and Hamas, both absolutely refuse to participate in any form of negotiation to achieve peace with Israel. They vehemently and steadfastly believe the only solution to the problem is the total destruction of Israel and the expulsion of all Jews from the territory. The PLO have received numerous offers from Israel over the years, which could have led to the establishment of an Independent Palestinian State, but have refused almost every overture and peace proposal. The former Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, South African-born Abba Eban, said it correct: “the Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity”. Expressed in 1973, it has sadly stood the test of time.
South Africa with its unique experience of negotiating a peaceful transition is in a unique position to counsel the Arab opponents to Israel about ways of achieving a lasting peace while seeking a middle ground in meeting the aspirations of Jew and Arab alike.
Nelson Mandela
An approach of this nature would more likely achieve a ground-breaking result rather than ‘blind support’ of former comrades-in-arms, despite the complete differences in methodologies. Each of the leaders of the PLO, Hamas and Hezbollah is no aspiring Mandela – in fact the complete opposite. Banning ANC parliamentarians from visiting Israel, and continuing with its blind support for anti-Israel organisations and NGOs like BDS, will not bring peace any closer.
Discouraging violence and encouraging compromise might.
South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup in 1995, was not just a testament to the boys in green on the field but to its inspirational president who used that emotionally-charged sport – rugby – to energize his disparate people to set aside differences and cheer for ‘peace’.
Israel and the Palestinians deserve too ‘A Sporting Chance’ and South Africa could help by playing fair and supporting both sides to make the necessary compromises.
