SA Zionist Federation urges government to reconsider stance on Israel's Olympic participation
The South African Zionist Federation has slammed a statement by the government condemning Israel's participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, issued a statement on Friday calling Israel's involvement in the competition "grossly inhuman."
She says it shows disregard for the thousands of Palestinian lives lost in the war.
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The federation's Rolene Marks has called on the South African government to seriously reconsider its stance.
"Israel, a sovereign state, holds the right to participate in this international event, just like any other nation," said Marks.
"It is noteworthy that the press statement condemning Israel's involvement in the global sports event was issued by the Government Communication Information System on behalf of the department's Deputy Minister, Peace Mabe. The absence of the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture's Gayton McKenzie’s name is striking," she added.
Meanwhile Minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed his unhappiness saying he will be responding to Mabe's statement.
He says politics should not take precedence when the country should be rallying to support Team SA.
Under the GNU, Mabe who is an ANC member, serves as deputy in the sports ministry headed by McKenzie, who is the leader of the Patriotic Alliance.
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