Asserts the center-right Zulu nationalist, who argues that provocative labelling is aimed at promoting a South African consumer boycott of Israel: "The Inkatha Freedom Party joins this march [in support of Israel] with a clear and unambiguous message. We oppose our Government taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in an atmosphere of escalating tension that threatens to boil over into violence. The IFP supports the two-state solution. We believe that both Israel and Palestine have a right to exist as sovereign states. We advocate a negotiated settlement and are vehemently opposed to violence, regardless of its origin."
He continues his commentary: "Against this background, the IFP opposes the move by the Department of Trade and Industry to require traders in South Africa to label products from the West Bank or Gaza as products from 'Occupied Palestinian Territory'. There are no legal bases in our law or in international law to support this requirement. The IFP believes this is a provocation aimed at promoting a consumer boycott. This action on the part of the Department of Trade and Industry is not in the interests of South Africans. It reflects the political interest of the ANC which continues to utilise the State to pay off its political debts, confusing the national interests of South Africa with the private interests of the ANC. Imposing this labelling requirement is detrimental to our national interests, to our trade relations, our economic growth and employment generation."
More: "We remind our Government that consumer boycotts were the precursor to the persecution of Jews in Germany, which ended in the holocaust. Indeed, soon after Adolf Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor in 1933, Nazi storm-troopers began posting signs on storefronts warning, 'Kauft nicht bei Juden!', 'Don't buy from Jews!' Let us therefore remain vigilant against the escalation of tensions. The South African Government has a moral responsibility to support peace, non-discrimination and nonviolent negotiation wherever these are threatened."
Buthelezi: "The ANC Has Taken Sides Against Israel"
