International relations minister Naledi Pandor has courted controversy by having a call with Hamas, which the US and EU have designated as a terrorist organisation, in a move likely to put more pressure on Pretoria and Washington’s relations.
Relations between the two are still on the mend after unfounded allegations that SA aided Russia in its offensive against Ukraine. SA’s diplomatic relationship with the US has been on shaky ground since May, when US ambassador Reuben Brigety accused SA of providing arms to Russia.
A panel established by President Cyril Ramaphosa found there was no evidence SA loaded arms on the Russian ship Lady R — as alleged by Brigety.
On Tuesday, Pandor — through her department and the presidency — confirmed she did have a call with Hamas, which is in a bitter battle with Israel, a close ally of the US.
Ramaphosa’s office came out to say that he has already condemned Hamas’ actions of targeting and killing civilians, just as he has equally condemned Israel for its killing of Palestinian civilians.
But his office defended Pandor’s call to Hamas.
"To the extent that the minister saw an opportunity to engage Hamas on humanitarian issues, the conversation is justified.
"That does not change the fact that as a government we do not have a bilateral relationship with Hamas, nor do we equate our support for the Palestinian struggle against occupation to mean support for Hamas," presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
This was augmented by a statement from the international relations department, which sought to clarify what was said during the call with Hamas.
Pandor had responded to "a request to call the Hamas" leadership, her office said.
"During the call, and in line with the government’s position, minister Pandor reiterated SA’s solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and expressed sadness and regret for the loss of innocent lives of both Palestinians and Israelis," department spokesperson Clayson Monyela said.
"Minister Pandor and the Hamas leader discussed how to get the necessary humanitarian aid to Gaza and other parts of the Palestinian territories.
"The reports that minister Pandor also offered support for the ‘Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood’ are untrue and meant to impugn the minister and the government of SA. Minister Pandor’s call with the Hamas leader is in line with SA’s readiness to engage all interlocutors as part of facilitating dialogue to end the conflict."
A surprise attack by militants on southern communities in Israel reportedly left more than 1,400 dead on October 7. It has also been reported that retaliatory Israeli air strikes on Gaza have since killed about 2,750 in the Palestinian territory.
An estimated 1-million people have been displaced within the Gaza Strip, the UN agency that supports refugees has said.
The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) took exception at the call between Pretoria and Hamas, calling Hamas a "terrorist organisation".
SAJBD chair Karen Milner said: "According to Hamas, minister Pandor expressed support for its surprise attack on Israel, in which Hamas targeted civilians and took hostages.
"Minister Pandor has chosen a side in this war. She has engaged with an Islamist jihadist organisation and in so doing has dragged our country into very dangerous waters."
However, while the UN has condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas, its security council still does not recognise or sanction Hamas as a terror group. This is despite multiple other nations declaring it to be so.
Hamas was formed in the late 1980s at the beginning of the first Palestinian intifada (uprising). The group’s strength is concentrated in the Gaza Strip and areas of the West Bank.
It has a military wing known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which has conducted anti-Israel attacks in both Israel and the Palestinian territories since the 1990s.
Though SA has strong political and fraternal ties with Palestine, its diplomatic stance has put it on a collision course with Israel and its allies.
Emerging from the ANC national executive committee meeting late on Monday, Ramaphosa condemned the Hamas attack but also expressed solidarity with Palestine. He lamented the violence and destruction in Israel and Gaza, saying it has never been in SA’s nature to reserve empathy only for those with whom "we share an ethnic, racial, religious or cultural affinity".
The close relationship between the US and Israel stretches back decades, with Washington consistently providing its ally with financial and military aid and political support. Data from the UN shows the US has used its security council veto power 42 times against resolutions condemning Israel.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.