Patriotic Alliance in Israel, a visit that Kenny Kunene has staunchly defended Photo Twitter/ @Kenny_T_Kunene
South Africa – In the realm of politics, the concept of coalition governments has taken centre stage, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. A number of countries such as New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Monaco and Ireland, to name a few, have functioning and stable coalition governments. However, instead of visiting these countries, the Patriotic Alliance decided to visit apartheid Israel to learn more about coalition governments. A move that has rightfully been met with severe criticism from South Africans.
The PA, a political player in Johannesburg, embarked on a journey of learning from countries that have successfully implemented coalition governments. The PA’s choice to turn to Israel for insights has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions. The underlying question is: why Israel? With concerns about political legitimacy and global controversies surrounding Israel’s policies, this decision warrants careful examination.
Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance, Kenny Kunene, emphasised that the PA’s interest in coalition governments stems from their role as “king makers” in Johannesburg’s political scene. With a history of coalition engagements at the local level, the PA is gearing up for participation in national and provincial governments. According to the PA, to gain an understanding of coalition dynamics, they sought out countries with extensive experience in this governance model. This was their reasoning for visiting apartheid Israel.
“We looked at the countries that have gone through coalition governance and our researchers informed us that Israel has been in coalition government since 1948. We then decided that let us then make the trip to Israel to understand how they stabilise, how do they make sure that their coalition government lasts for the duration of the term.”
While Kunene maintains his belief in the effectiveness of Israel’s coalition government, a closer examination reveals a different story. The records indicate an astonishing five elections held since 2019, shedding light on the inherent instability in the Israeli political landscape. Despite this apparent fragility, Kunene believes it can also be a learning lesson on what not to do and that one must take a broader historical perspective to fully grasp the impact and sustainability of coalition arrangements.
“When you look at most of the terms of the coalitions, they have been stable. They have lasted for the duration of the time and even so, we must then learn what makes the coalitions not work … In the last four years [they have not served a full term] but let us look from 1948. Let us not focus on one year. When you go and learn, you don’t just learn about the successes. You also learn about the failures and how to make sure that those failures don’t happen.”
While this reason may seem logical to the PA, South Africa already has enough failing coalitions for politicians to study. According to Kunene, Israel is just a starting point, and they wish to travel to other countries like Denmark and Finland next. This choice is quite surprising given the fact that instead of investigating countries with functional coalition governments, the PA’s unconventional decision points them towards Israel. A nation grappling with considerable turmoil in its own coalition dynamics, surpassing the scale of challenges seen in South Africa. Moreover, choosing Israel over nations like Ireland, known for its vocal support of Palestine and enjoying substantial political stability, invites scrutiny into the motivations underpinning this peculiar learning journey.
Navigating controversies
Criticism has not been absent, particularly concerning the PA’s choice to engage with Israel. Accusations of legitimising Israel’s policies and overlooking Palestinian concerns have surfaced. Kunene emphasised that the PA’s interest is in learning rather than taking sides. He highlighted that the PA approached the South African Jewish Board of Deputies to facilitate discussions with Israeli leaders and institutions.
“When we approached the South African Jewish Board of deputies and said can you facilitate these meetings, we would like to see the president of Israel, see at least two or three political parties, see your Waste Management Treatment Center, they understood that these are leaders of a party who are patriotic about their country. They opened their country to us. We are not legitimising anyone. The fact of the matter is, there is a government in Israel. The fact of the matter is that we did not go there for politics. We went there on a fact-finding mission.”
Kunene implied that South African Muslims should not have an issue with their visit as “a lot of Muslim countries have started trade relations with Israel” and many countries that form part of BRICS also have trade relationships with Israel and diplomatic ties. Furthermore, Kunene felt that those saying PA are enemies of Palestine are unfounded because they voted for Al Jama-ah, not once but twice.
“Us going to Israel does not make us enemies of the Palestinian people. In fact, in the city of Johannesburg, as we speak, we voted for a Muslim party. Al Jama-ah. Twice not once. The mayor that is there is the mayor who comes from a Muslim party … Making friends with others does not make you enemies of others.”
While Kunene may firmly believe in that statement, South Africans, like Kagiso, believe this cannot be said when it comes to Israel. You cannot be friends with the oppressor and those they oppress.
“When it comes to Israel, we can’t say that. It is like saying that being friends with the National Party, during Apartheid, means you could also be friends with the ANC and those fighting for freedom. It’s not possible to be friends with the oppressor and those being oppressed. Could you be friends with a person who goes around killing, evicting, eradicating people you also consider friends? There is no sense in his statement.”
To others, like Yaeesh, this statement sounds like one that would come from a person who would have been friends with the National Party.
“Kunene sounds like a person who would be friends with the old South African Apartheid government and is looking for financing from supporters of the occupation.”
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Israel is not the same as Apartheid South Africa and reactions by South Africans
While organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and B’Tselem have labelled Israel an Apartheid State, Kunene, speaking on Newzroom Afrika stated that, “saying Israel is an Apartheid State is an insult to us”. He went on to further say “there is a conflict of issue of land”. These statements were not taken very kindly by South Africans.
“While he has the right to his own viewpoint, claiming that it’s not an Apartheid State is hard to fathom. Numerous nations and groups have labelled Israel as such, and even if those sources are questioned, substantial evidence supports this view. The harsh treatment of Palestinians, their forced displacement, home demolitions, and distressing acts like cement poured into a well they relied on for water, all raise significant concerns. How one can overlook these events and deny the presence of an Apartheid State is puzzling,” said Kagiso.
“I feel like he needs to sit with a dictionary and reflect on the definition of Apartheid, then reflect on South Africa’s history and then make a statement,” said Muhammed Joosab.
“He is delusional. Not only have South African struggle icons called the occupation Apartheid but also international organisations. Painting stripes on a donkey doesn’t make it a zebra,” said Yaeesh.
Israel is not Just an Apartheid State, it’s Worse than what South Africans experienced.
— Wandile Msomi (@Wandilemsomix) August 13, 2023
This brother is speaking nonsense. He said “to claim that they’re practising Apartheid in Israel is an insult to me; because I know Apartheid & how it was for SA”.😂 Apartheid is Apartheid; whether the other is extreme or not is of little significance. It’s still APARTHEID.
— Siphesihle Mnisi (@Oros_Mnisi) August 13, 2023
It seems the honourable Kenny doesn’t grasp the definition of what Apartheid is.
— Bukhosibakhe (@Makhwabe) August 13, 2023
Shame on the patriotic alliance, they would do and say anything to get money from the Jewish people. Who said for Israel to be an Apartheid state it must be doing exactly as the Afrikaners did in SA 🚮
— Lerato (@MadutungLerato) August 13, 2023
In the midst of the political stage dominated by talks of a coalition government, the PA’s decision to seek insights from Israel’s experience has ignited debates, controversies and criticism within South Africa. While the PA emphasises a desire to learn, the choice to engage with a country that has been labelled an Apartheid State has baffled South Africans with many asking what the PA can learn about good governance from a government that utilises the same, if not worse methods, than the National Party did during Apartheid.
