The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) strongly condemns the government’s recent allocation of R95 million in taxpayers’ funds to pursue its politically-motivated lawfare campaign against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), despite previous assurances to citizens that this abuse of international legal mechanisms would not burden the public purse.
This substantial allocation, approved through Parliament’s Special Appropriations Bill, represents a disturbing misuse of public resources in service of a nefarious agenda to delegitimise Israel – the Middle East’s sole functioning democracy and a crucial stabilising force in the region.
“The timing and nature of this expenditure is particularly egregious,” says Rolene Marks, Spokesperson for the SAZF.
“While South Africa grapples with an unprecedented 41.9% expanded unemployment rate and severe domestic challenges, our government seems more interested in undermining Israel’s fundamental right to self-defence against Hamas, a recognised terrorist organisation responsible for the October 7 atrocities.”
The government’s moral bankruptcy is starkly illustrated by recent events. “This weekend saw the final collapse of the Assad regime in Syria – a government that massacred hundreds of thousands of its own citizens, yet one which the ANC government steadfastly refused to condemn, instead choosing to maintain diplomatic relations and actively pursue closer ties,” Marks notes. “This selective morality – condemning Israel’s self-defence while embracing a regime responsible for mass civilian casualties – reveals the profound hypocrisy behind the ICJ case.”
What makes this decision even more bewildering is the ANC government’s persistent alignment with failing and destabilising forces in the Middle East. “While the ANC’s traditional allies – including the now-fallen Assad regime, Hezbollah, and Hamas – face mounting crises and diminishing regional influence, Israel continues to demonstrate its resilience and strategic importance as a stable, democratic partner in an increasingly volatile region,” Marks observes. “Instead of recognising Israel’s potential value as a strategic ally for South Africa’s development and security interests, our government chooses to squander taxpayers’ money attacking the very nation that could offer the most meaningful partnership for South Africa’s future.”
The allocation includes R3.47 million for business-class travel arrangements for the legal team, a luxurious expense that cannot be justified in a country facing severe economic constraints. This extravagant spending comes despite the ICJ having already ruled earlier this year that Israel has not committed genocide.
“This is not just about money – it’s about priorities and principles,” Marks emphasises. “Our government is choosing to align itself with crumbling forces that seek to destabilise the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, while neglecting pressing domestic issues that affect millions of South Africans daily.”
The SAZF calls upon the National Council of Provinces to reject this bill when it comes before Parliament’s Upper House on Tuesday. This expenditure represents not just a financial misallocation, but a moral failure to recognise Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against extremist threats that seek its destruction.
“South African citizens deserve to know why their government is spending their money to advance a foreign agenda that undermines regional stability and democratic values in the Middle East,” Marks concluded. “At a time when Israel stands as a beacon of stability and innovation in the region, and while the ANC’s allies continue to fall amid their own atrocities, our government’s choice to support failing terrorist entities over a potential strategic democratic ally reflects a profound misunderstanding of both regional dynamics and South Africa’s own national interests.”
