Humairaa Mayet | 5 April 2021
In a webinar with right-wing Israeli publication, The Jerusalem Post, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng expressed blatantly anti-Palestnian sentiments, stating his overt support for the apartheid state of Israel. Chief Justice Mogoeng affirmed his approval of the settler-colonial state, citing the Bible and claiming that the existence of Israel is justified in ancient scripture.
This claim undermines the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the Israeli regime for years and years, and trivialises their struggle. Sentiments of such a nature, put forth by those in positions of power, further marginalise the Palestinian struggle and discredits the atrocities they face.
Following these statements; the SA BDS Coalition, Africa4Palestine, and the Women’s Cultural Group all lodged complaints against Chief Justice Mogoeng, complaints which he has since cast aside after refusing to apologise.
Given South Africa’s tumultuous history – and the country’s own struggle, which occasionally parallels the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel – it is almost shocking that an individual as powerful and influential as the Chief Justice could pass such comments.
It is largely unlikely that the Chief Justice will apologise, and he seems determined to stand by the apartheid state of Israel, no matter the cost.
