While millions of South Africans are unemployed and have to pinch every penny to survive, they are generously contributing to keeping the doors of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Pretoria open.
The reply to a parliamentary question from the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola, reveals that South Africa is, in fact, footing the bill for all of the Palestinians’ operational costs.
Over the past five years, nearly R10 million has been spent to cover the Embassy’s “operational costs”, which apparently include all expenses – from food, drink and entertainment to vehicles and fuel. (Question and reply attached herewith.)
All this while the ANC continues to act like it is the only party in the GNU, particularly concerning foreign policy; it remains openly hostile towards Israel and it recalled its ambassador from Israel last year.
What is equally disturbing in Minister Lamola’s reply is that his Department has no idea whether there are any investigations into possible terrorism links with the Palestinian Embassy.
According to the Minister, such matters are handled by the country’s intelligence agencies. His reply is void of any transparency and raises questions about the actual reasons for funding the Embassy.
Rumours that South Africa is being used by militant organisations for fundraising and recruitment have been doing the rounds for a long time.
According to a 2024 report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, there are agreements in place between the ANC and Hamas, with generous financial and logistical support from South African organisations.
It cannot go on like this. South Africans, who are grappling with economic challenges, unemployment, poor infrastructure and rising living costs, cannot be expected to pay millions to maintain the Embassy.
There are too many domestic problems that urgently require attention and the money should rather be used to address those.
The Freedom Front Plus insists that the unilateral policy of double standards be reconsidered and that the money tap to the Embassy be shut off immediately.
From now on, all role players in the GNU should have a say in the decision-making on balanced foreign policy that promotes peace and justice for all. The ANC cannot be trusted to handle it all on its own.
