Politician · country

Jacob Zuma on Israel

Strong Pro-Palestine critic (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Jacob Zuma fundamentally shifted South Africa's stance to strongly support Palestine and criticize Israeli policies, continuing a trend started during his presidency.

Key Points

His government began accusing Israel of practicing "apartheid" during his term, contrasting with the earlier acceptance under Mandela.
In a January 2017 statement, he condemned the killing of Israeli soldiers in East Jerusalem but called for peaceful resolution and respect for international law.
The ANC, under his leadership, made supporting BDS its official policy in December 2012 to pressure Israel regarding the Palestinian people.

Summary

Jacob Zuma, during his presidency (2009-2018), oversaw a significant hardening of the African National Congress's position against Israel, moving away from the more nuanced approach of his predecessor. This shift involved adopting rhetoric that accused Israel of practicing "apartheid" and positioning South Africa at the forefront of international criticism. Key evidence of this stance includes his government's encouragement of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and the call for the admission of a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This ideological realignment was influenced by the radicals within the ANC's traditional alliances, such as trade unions and the Communist Party, according to long-time observers. The ruling party officially discouraged travel to Israel as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinians. While Zuma acknowledged concerns from the Jewish community regarding the ANC's reception of Hamas, he did not explicitly denounce the organization's terror tactics. His government also condemned specific Israeli military actions, such as an attack on soldiers in East Jerusalem in January 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jacob Zuma's position on Israel?

Jacob Zuma adopted a strongly critical and pro-Palestinian stance on Israel while he was president, a notable shift from the previous ANC leadership. He consistently supported the call for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. His administration allowed the ANC to formalize support for the BDS movement.

Has Jacob Zuma changed their stance on Israel?

Yes, his position represented a clear evolution from the era of Nelson Mandela, who supported Israel's right to exist alongside a Palestinian state. Observers noted that Zuma permitted the ANC's radical partners to shape foreign policy, leading to increased hostility toward Jerusalem. This marked a fundamental policy pivot during his tenure.

What did Jacob Zuma say about the conflict in the Middle East?

The former president maintained that peace in the world was difficult to imagine without peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He expressed that South Africa was ready to assist in restarting negotiations between the two parties. However, his statements often focused heavily on criticizing Israeli policy and occupation.