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DEMOCRATIC
ALLIANCE (DA)
Leader: John Steenhuisen
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- The DA advocates for liberal democracy, a market-driven economy and non-racialism.
- The DA is looking to improve education, do away with BEE in favour of the UN development goals, professionalize the public service, and diminish crime by revolutionising some of the policing practices and bodies in the country
Position on Israel:
- The DA holds a moderate position on Israel and supports a two-state solution.
- Party leader John Steenhuisen has stated that “The Democratic Alliance stands in solidarity with both Palestinians and Israelis who see a two-state solution. It stands against radicalism and violence. We reject any sentiment that seeks to annihilate either Israel or Palestine.”
- The DA voted against the EFF parliamentary motion in November 2023, alongside other opposition parties, to cut diplomatic ties with Israel, stating that “The ANC is scoring an own goal here. It’s a firm no from us. We need to have a stake in negotiating a peace…”
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ACTION SA
(ASA)
Leader: Herman Mashaba
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- Action SA has a liberal economic outlook and looks to limit the size of the Cabinet to only 20 ministers (with no deputy ministers).
- The party is proposing a R55.7 billion “Opportunity Fund” through which it will improve the economy by bolstering and supporting innovation, SMMEs (Small Medium and Micro Enterprises), the informal economy, and entrepreneurship.
Position on Israel:
- On 10 October 2023, the party released a strong tweet in opposition to the Hamas attacks, stating that the party vehemently condemns the “heinous” attacks and that such acts cannot be condoned, no matter the context. It followed this up with a less strong statement.
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BUILD ONE SA
(BOSA)
Leader: Mmusi Maimane
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- BOSA is campaigning on a platform of creating jobs, overhauling the education system to be more modern and skills aligned, reducing crime, and implementing a “capable, efficient and merit-based government that gets on with doing the job.”
Position on Israel:
- Following the ICJ Judgement, the party stated, “Two-state solution is the pathway to peace in Israel-Palestine conflict,” and called for negotiations between the parties.
- Maimane has called the government’s decision to take Israel to the ICJ polarising and does not aid in finding a quick solution. He continued to state that the ANC’s view does not reflect all of South Africa or all of parliament.
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RISE MZANSI
(RM)
Leader: Songezo Zibi
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- The party launched in 2023 and is headed by Songezo Zibi, a former associate editor at Business Day, and has served as the Head of Communications at ABSA.
- RISE Mzansi has placed food security as its most important policy feature. It has also made a strong policy toward substance abuse and improved mental healthcare, which it has identified as key problematic spaces in the country. Moreover, the party has committed to only employing competent, qualified public servants, allowing only professionals to serve at managerial levels.
Position on Israel:
- The party’s staff and parliamentary list include individuals who support the antisemitic BDS movement and regularly promote anti-Jewish conspiracies and blood libels in public.
- The party is strongly in support of the South African Government’s case at the ICJ. Rise Mzansi appeared to slightly alter its opinion, indicating that support for Palestine should not come at the expense of national unity or international isolation. “The ANC government has conflated its position between [humanitarian aid and international law].”
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FREEDOM FRONT PLUS
(FF+)
Leader: Pieter Groenewald
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- The traditionally Afrikaans supported conservative party is campaigning on a platform of fighting against farm murders, extinguishing BEE policies and promoting private society over government as an engine for growth.
Position on Israel:
- The party argued against the parliamentary motion to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa, stating that closing the embassy would be shortsighted.
- In a public statement the FF Plus said that “it wants to apologise on behalf of all right-minded people in South Africa to the Jewish community for what it says is the appalling way in which the ANC government has handled the seventh of October attacks by Hamas on Israel”
- The party refused to participate in an October 2023 minute of silence for the “People of Palestine” as proposed by the Speaker of the Ekurhuleni Metro Council. The party insisted that it “stands in solidarity with the people of Israel in their fight against the terrorist group Hamas,…The FF Plus finds it unacceptable that the Speaker did not condemn the calculated and bloody attack on Israeli civilians. Such conduct is unethical and inappropriate.”
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AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (ACDP)
Leader: Kenneth Meshoe
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- The ACDP has participated in South African elections since 1994 and has a focus on governing through Christian ethics.
Position on Israel:
- The ACDP is a staunchly pro-Israel party, and has a section on Israel in its manifesto, which states, “The ACDP will re-establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, move the South African Embassy to Jerusalem… and work towards finding lasting peace in the Middle East, while ensuring that Israel’s security and right to defend itself is not compromised.”
- The party also rejected the parliamentary motion to close the Israeli Embassy, stating that was “a dangerous motion full of lies, inaccuracies and deceptions”.
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UMKHONTO WESIZWE
(MK)
Leader: Jacob Zuma
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- MK has a manifesto that commits the party to transformative change across all sectors of South African society.
Position on Israel:
- The party’s manifesto does not mention Israel or Palestine.
- Zuma has appeared at a fundraising event for Gaza, which was held in January.
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INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
(IFP)
Leader: Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa
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- The IFP is aiming to wrestle control of KwaZulu-Natal away from the ANC with the aid of the DA and potentially some of the smaller parties.
- The party has a conservative platform and, while it has growing non-Zulu support, continues to receive the majority of its support primarily in KZN.
Position on Israel:
- The IFP has been supportive of Israel, arguing against the parliamentary motion to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.
- The party argued that cutting ties with any of the parties involved in the conflict will disadvantage South Africa’s efforts to influence any peace process, “isolation in a time of war is not a solution. It is tantamount to running away.”
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PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE
(PA)
Leader: Gayton McKenzie
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- The Patriotic Alliance is staunchly anti-emigrant, is calling for increased religion in schools, aims to decrease crime through a policy of supporting released prisoners with employment opportunities, and hopes to create jobs with programs to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Position on Israel:
- The PA has a strong pro-Israel stance, and has refused to alter its position on the issue, even when threated by the ANC.
- McKenzie, the party leader stated, “The religion I follow, the religion of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, commands me to bless and pray for Israel. Even if I get one vote or two votes, I will not listen to the ANC… I am a Christian and I will listen to the Bible,”
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