The ANC is expected to make clear whether it backs armed Palestinian group Hamas at a media briefing on Wednesday.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula led a delegation that met Hamas’ leaders visiting SA to prepare for the gathering.
The party is expected to share the stage with Hamas politburo member Bassem Naim, its representative in Iran, Khaled Qaddoumi, and Hamas’ international relations director for East, Central and Southern Africa Emad Saber.
Monday's delegation included representatives of less militant Palestinian groups Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which are considered to be opposed to Hamas in the Palestinian Territories. Members of the SACP’s leadership also attended the meeting.
While the ANC has come out in support of the Palestinian cause, it has stopped short of support for Hamas.
Historically, the PLO has been viewed as a fraternal organisation of the ANC, not Hamas.
“What surprised all of us is that they are all on the same page (Hamas, Fatah and the PLO) in the way they see things and what they want, and the way forward. They were all clear that Israel has been playing a game of divide and conquer, and Israel’s intention is to occupy Palestinian land. What they asked of the ANC is to help the world understand that this conflict did not start on October 7. Israel has forced Palestine to live in the most horrid conditions for decades now,” ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane said.
Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel last month and killed 1,200 Israelis. Since then, more than 15,900 Palestinians have died in retaliatory strikes by Israel in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Mokonyane said it is not true that Hamas will not negotiate with Israel.
“What they told us is that they want an everlasting solution, and need the support of the world. They believe that parties are now far from a two state solution, so a ceasefire and opening of humanitarian corridors is the first demand,” she said.
On the issue of Hamas being labelled a terrorist organisation by the US and UK, Mokonyane added that the ANC is speaking to all parties, including those in support of Israel, about Hamas.
The ANC has not relented despite criticism from SA’s Jewish Board of Deputies last week following a meeting between the ANC’s Western Cape leaders and Hamas.
Ahead of the visit, the ANC government said it had no plans to meet Hamas representatives during their visit to SA.
