South African MPs Say ‘No Evidence of Apartheid’ After Controversial Israel Visit

At least nine South African Members of Parliament (MPs) from three political parties visited Israel on a so-called “fact-finding mission” organised by South African Friends of Israel — and have returned claiming that there is no evidence of apartheid in the country. Instead, they assert that Israel is a “vibrant progressive multi-racial and multi-ethnic society” that upholds the rights of all citizens.

This statement, released by the organisers, comes in response to reporting by Daily Maverick on the secretive nature of the trip, which included a high-level meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other senior officials.

Who Was on the Trip?

The delegation consisted of several prominent Democratic Alliance (DA) MPs, including:

• Glynnis Breytenbach (Justice)

• Emma Louise Powell (International Relations)

• Katherine Christie

• Bridget Masango

• Nicholas Myburgh

• Liam Jacobs

• Bonginkosi Madikizela

They were joined by Patriotic Alliance (PA) MPs Ashley Sauls and Millicent Mathopa, and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MP Steve Swart.

No Official Comment from Parliament

Although the DA and PA are now part of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), the trip appears to have taken place without public knowledge or parliamentary oversight.

Responding to media queries, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri stated that the Speaker’s office should clarify the mission, as Parliament functions independently from the executive.

As of April 11, Parliament has made no official statement.

Critics Slam the Visit as One-Sided

Footage and images shared by South African Friends of Israel show the MPs visiting Kibbutz Aza and the site of the Nova Music Festival, where they heard testimonies from survivors of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack.

However, there was no indication that the delegation engaged with Palestinian voices or visited Gaza or the occupied West Bank, leading some analysts to question the objectivity of the mission.

Professor Stephen Chan of the University of London commented on social media:

“This kind of visit is ridiculous unless you are free to meet ALL parties, & do so at length.”

The visit coincided with the deportation of two British MPs — Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed — by Israeli authorities. The MPs, who were traveling with a Medical Aid for Palestinians delegation, were turned away over past criticism of Israel.

Patriotic Alliance Pushes Back Against Secrecy Claims

Despite concerns about transparency, Patriotic Alliance spokesperson Steve Motale denied any secrecy, stating:

“The senior leaders of the PA also had a trip to Israel in 2023, and were equally open and proud of it.”

Yet, critics point out that DA MPs — including TikTok-active MP Liam Jacobs, known for documenting his public engagements — posted nothing about the trip on social media.

Implications for SA Foreign Policy

The visit is likely to stir tensions within the GNU, where the ANC maintains a strong pro-Palestinian stance and has accused Israel of apartheid and genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The DA’s contrasting narrative may create political rifts within the unity government.

While the visiting MPs claim their experience in Israel showed “no evidence of apartheid”, the lack of exposure to Palestinian communities and voices raises questions about the credibility and balance of the mission. The controversy now awaits formal reaction from Parliament and coalition partners, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions in the Middle East.

{Source: Daily Maverick}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com