SONA circus overshadowed content of address

SUZANNE BELLING

He said: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Palestine. The expansion of Israeli settlements undermines global efforts aimed at realising the two-state solution and the Oslo Accord. We wish to reiterate our support for the Palestinian cause.”

Glynis Breytenbach, DA shadow minister for justice and constitutional development, told Jewish Report: “The ANC under Zuma has made it clear where their support lies. It is not a balanced approach with a genuine interest in finding a lasting solution. 

“It is an approach that is biased against Israel and the Jewish people. It cannot be supported and is deeply disappointing, given the history of our own country and the values espoused in our own Constitution.”

She was “deeply appalled” at the chaos in the House. “This was meant to be an occasion for South Africans to enjoy their democratic process and get direction for the year ahead from their President. They got none of that. They were confronted by a President in whom no-one has any faith and for whom no-one can have respect; and a military presence (in the parliamentary precinct) that was ominous and out of place in a constitutional democracy.

“The type of unruly behaviour diminishes Parliament and sets a shocking example for all. Violence is not the solution and the militarisation of Parliament is extremely disturbing.”

What was noteworthy is that in welcoming faith leaders, Zuma mentioned the Muslims by name, but not the other religions.

“The approach by Zuma is deeply disrespectful by design – and offensive.

“The Jewish community has made an enormous contribution to this country and continues to do so. They deserve to be recognised. Not only have they contributed to the country financially and culturally, but also in the opposition to discrimination. The ANC have adopted an unfortunate approach which is not sustainable.”

She added: “South Africans will take back their own democracy and the contributions of all South Africans, including the Jewish community, will be essential in getting us back onto a trajectory of which we all will be proud.”

DA MP Darren Bergman said he “knew it (the fracas) was going to happen” because it was the fulfilment of a threat.

“The Speaker and chairman of the National Council of Provinces do not have control over the House because they do not have the respect of the House. To rely on external security to handle members that have a right to be in the House, says a lot about the current state of our nation.”

On the “punch-up” he said: “More and more people are watching channel 408 and events such as SONA. Unfortunately, it is usually out of eager anticipation of the expected shenanigans, rather than an academic approach in understanding the current political lay of the land.

“The world is watching and this no doubt has an impact on foreign aid and investment.”

On Zuma’s support pledge to the Palestinians, Bergman said that South Africa has “built itself” as a reliable mediator between the Israelis and the Palestinians, (but) “the more they take a partisan approach, the more unreliable they become in ever being credible mediators.

 “Every time we blur the lines between Zionism and anti-Semitism, we push a simultaneous divide that is harmful to the Jewish community. Racist behaviour is dangerous and divisive. Anti-Semitism is racism.”

Michael Bagraim, DA shadow deputy minister of labour, pointed out that this year’s SONA was not much different from last year’s. What happened had been largely expected.

“By its very nature, we know that government is bureaucratic, intrusive and expensive and we should be self-dependent and self-reliant and therefore we are enjoined to keep our distance and not interfere too much with government.”

He said the government, in essence, had become so weak that it could not control – not only the problems experienced in the townships which instilled disobedience – but even the people in Parliament itself.  “This surely tells every citizen that we need change and we need it desperately.”

Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa Arthur Lenk attended SONA for the fifth time. “If the truth be told, the ruckus was nothing new. South Africa is still a young democracy and is finding its way. “It is interesting that we can all learn from South Africa and its vibrant, confrontational, hands-on approach”, he said