Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

4-minute read
17 October 2023 | 20:26 CAT

Image: Al Jazeera

Amid a raging war between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, Western Nations have rallied behind Israel, with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany providing militant support in the fighting in Gaza. Meanwhile, several African countries have condemned Israel’s aggression and expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Israel has made deep inroads into a continent traditionally sympathetic to Palestine. But Israel’s gains have limits too.

The African Union (AU) stated that the ongoing conflict is caused by denying Palestinian people fundamental rights, especially their right to an independent and sovereign state.

The African Union has been divided over granting Israel observer status to the continental body for over a decade.

Kenya’s response to the Hamas attack has been unequivocally pro-Israel. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Zambia have also aligned themselves as pro-Israel.

On the other hand, South Africa has squarely placed the blame on Israel’s actions, citing the illegal occupation and desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Christian religious sites.

Algeria has also declared solidarity with Palestine. Moussa Mahamat Faki of the African Union Commission has blamed the violence on the “Denial of fundamental rights of the Palestinians” while calling for a two-state solution.

This split between African countries, normally bound by the mutual suffering of historical colonialism and racism, has highlighted how each country attempts to separate their interests.

Israel has been moving to normalise ties in Africa through deals regarding technology, military assistance and aid.

Israel’s globally recognised status as a leader in agricultural technology and techniques is one of the leading causes of their support in Africa, which often suffers from extreme weather that causes food shortages.

South Africa remains one of Israel’s biggest critics, having suffered under an apartheid regime for years, yet it is also Israel’s largest trading partner on the continent.

South Africa also trades with Palestine, most notably in olive oil.

Israel still encounters setbacks on the African continent.

Despite progress in seeking Observer Status in the African Union(AU) in 2021, Israel’s status was suspended in February after Algeria and South Africa protested that status. Palestine has maintained Observer Status since 2013.

In addition, many African countries voted against the US decision to open an Embassy in disputed Jerusalem in 2017.

The dual nature of Africa strengthening ties with Israel while supporting Palestine is not unexpected. While many countries try to separate politics from trade relations, one will inevitably bleed into the other.

South Africa faces increasing internal pressure from civil society to take a clearer position in favour of Palestine.

Listen to the interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Khalifa Dikwa, Univ Don, Commentator on Public Affairs and Political Analyst.