Letters/Discussion Forums
Don’t use Mid-East politics for local gains
We are entering the silly season where the media get caught up in the hype of the upcoming (municipal) elections and the parties provide the bait. Expect much of the same, but expect worse – especially when it comes to the Middle East issue.
Darren Bergman, MP
(DA leader) Mmusi Maimane was quoted out of context in the Sowetan newspaper and the Jewish Report painted a biased picture of his position (on Israel and the Middle East).
The DA has a policy on the Middle East that is balanced and seeks a two-state solution. We state that peace must be sustainable and monitored by a body that can enforce the resolutions. We want an end to all forms of violence and killings and hope for the day when we see a long and lasting peace.
We are adamant that finger pointing is not the answer, nor is trying to make election gains out of complicated pains.
I personally believe that this Middle East conflict has given rise to movements that seek to both incite violence and hatred against cultures and religions and these objectives are condemned in the strongest terms. We should be pushing for global peace rather than fighting for war.
We live in a country that was born out of injustices of the past that served a biased and prejudiced agenda of a few. Overcoming this through peace, should be one of our greatest assets and should be protected from becoming one of our biggest embarrassments.
Member of Parliament