'More died in SA than Lebanon'
2006-08-17 19:26
Cape Town - Official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Douglas Gibson said it was remarkable that the South African parliament was able to debate the Middle East situation at a drop of a hat - and Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils and Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille could call for sanctions against Israel - but there was no debate about the report of parliament's election observer mission to the troubled Zimbabwe.
He said: "People are rightly horrified at the appalling tragedy of Qana,
and Mr Kasrils and the Honourable De Lille call for sanctions against Israel.
But they stay silent about 700 000 victims of Operation Murambatsvina - Operation clear up the Trash - in Zimbabwe. Why no demonstrations and why no sanctions there?"
Gibson said: "The world was shocked at the loss of life in the 34 days of the war, with 1 110 killed. In those 34 days in South Africa 1 750 people were murdered, at a rate of 51 per day.
"Those who express concern and outrage at
these violent crimes are accused of being whingers and are invited to leave the country. Where the government and Minister Kasrils have the power to act, they do not."
Unprecedented anti-Americanism
He reacted after South Africa's deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad told parliamentarians on Thursday afternoon that Israel's action in the Middle East had triggered "unprecedented anti-Americanism" and restiveness on the streets even of moderate Arab states in the region.
Noting that the international community now needed to resolve the situation which had led to the destruction of most of Lebanon's infrastructure, he
said:
"I want to warn that the potential for increased terrorism is great today than it has ever been."
Initiating the debate in the National Assembly on the situation in the Middle East, Pahad said there was a feeling among moderate governments in the region that Israel's actions had threatened "their very existence".
"We are now faced with situation where hatred is unprecedented in the region," said Pahad.
The reaction of Israel to the capture of two soldiers by Hezbollah had been disproportionate, he said.
He said a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine - behind secure borders for both - was the key to peace in the region.