Saturday, 12 April 2025.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the disgraceful and treasonous visit by Members of Parliament from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) to the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel.

This so-called “fact-finding mission” is nothing less than a betrayal of the South African people, the Palestinian people, and all oppressed peoples of the world. It is a shameful attempt to legitimise a regime that is currently engaged in one of the most brutal and well-documented genocides of the 21st century — the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. That these MPs chose to meet with the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, a key political figure presiding over this mass slaughter, is a disgusting stain on South Africa’s democracy.

Let us make it clear that this visit was not innocent nor was it private. These individuals travelled to a state our democratic Parliament, through a motion brought by the EFF, has condemned and agreed to sever ties with. They travelled with diplomatic passports, as representatives of South Africa, to a country that our own government has taken to the International Court of Justice for genocide. This is not only morally reprehensible, but it is a potential compromise of our national security as we have already become a target of Isreal’s white supremacist ally, the United States of America under Donald Trump.

The visit was deliberately kept secret, hidden from the public and from Parliament. According to reports, DA MP’s Glynnis Breytenbach who is a member of the Portfolio

Committee on Justice, Nicholas Myburgh who is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Emma Louise Powell who is a member of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations were also part of this delegation. That individuals occupying such sensitive positions within our state machinery could engage in secret diplomacy with a genocidal regime, without government authorisation or public accountability, is not only unethical but it also borders on espionage.

The DA, PA and ACDP have shown once again that they are agents of white imperialism and global Zionist aggression. They do not speak for the people of South Africa, nor do they represent the values of justice, peace, and solidarity that our antiapartheid struggle stood for. They stand with murderers, with occupiers, with colonisers, and they do so in our name.

This visit must be investigated. Parliament must demand full transparency. Who funded this trip? What was discussed? What intelligence, if any, was shared? And what consequences will follow for these MPs who have undermined the sovereignty of our state and the moral standing of our democracy?

The EFF demands that all Members of Parliament involved in this visit be summoned to appear before the Speaker and the Joint Standing Committee on Ethics; their diplomatic privileges be suspended pending investigation; the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issue a formal statement disassociating the Republic of South Africa from this rogue delegation; and Parliament reaffirm its commitment to the complete isolation of the apartheid Israeli regime by following through in removing the Israeli embassy from our country and cutting all ties.

The EFF will never stand with genocide, will never stand with apartheid, and will never be silent when our country’s name is dragged into complicity with war crimes. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572