Helen Zille Criticized Over DA’s Stance on Israel at Johannesburg Campaign Event Helen Zille, the Democratic Alliance’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate and federal chairperson, faced criticism during a campaign event in Ward 66 on Wednesday night over her party’s position on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Pro-Palestine protester Nigel Branken from Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia confronted Zille at the meeting, questioning the DA’s refusal to label Israel’s military operations as genocide. Branken challenged Zille’s stance, stating, “How can we even trust you to lead when you can’t acknowledge that there’s a genocide going on in Gaza?” He referenced international rulings, noting that the International Court of Justice has found a plausible case of genocide, and organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars have reached similar conclusions. The ANC has condemned the DA’s defence and “continued support of the apartheid State of Israel” following Zille’s comments. During a prior interview, Zille responded to questions about Gaza by saying, “Genocide is a incredibly big word. I haven’t been to Gaza, and I don’t know. But I certainly do know that Hamas has spent all its energy trying to obliterate the state of Israel.” When pressed further about the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s findings, she sidestepped the question, stating the DA focuses on proposing solutions like a two-state approach rather than discussing specific allegations. At the Ward 66 event, Branken emphasized concrete actions the DA could take, including supporting ICJ cases, advocating for sanctions, halting coal exports, and prosecuting individuals serving in the Israel Defense Forces. He concluded by saying, “Shame on you,” accusing the party of hypocrisy and sophistry in the face of what he described as the killing of 73,000 civilians, including children, in Gaza.
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